CAS orders Diarra to pay 10 million euro Lokomotiv fine

Paris (AFP) – France international Lassana Diarra confirmed Saturday that he has been ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to pay a 10 million euro ($11 million) fine to former club Lokomotiv Moscow.

The 31-year-old midfielder arrived in Russia to join Anzhi Makhachkala from Real Madrid in August 2012 but moved to Lokomotiv Moscow in 2013 on a four-year deal, before quitting the club a year later notably because of a salary cut.

Lokomotiv took the case to FIFA for breach of contract with the world body ruling in their favour, slapping Diarra with a 10 million euro fine and preventing him from playing for another club for 15 months.

“I take note today of notification from CAS of the punishment concerning me. It boils down to 15 months match suspension (already served), 15 months salary suspension (already served), 110,000 euros for the benefit of CAS, 10 million euro fine,” Diarra wrote on Twitter.

“I will accept the situation as I have always done in the past,” said Diarra, who joined French Ligue 1 side Marseille in July 2015. “I thank those who supported me during this difficult time and as I said it’s something I wouldn’t wish on any other player.”

Diarra has been called up to play for France in Euro 2016 starting on June 10.