World Players' Union FIFPro and European football governing body UEFA have launched a legal challenge to immediately declare all third-party ownership agreements regarding players in Europe void.
"The complaint lodged with the European Commission goes beyond the terms set out in the worldwide ban, which FIFA is set to implement as of May 1, 2015," FIFPro said in an online statement Wednesday.
"If successful, the complaint will prevent the signing of new third-party ownership agreements and demand existing arrangements to be considered illegal and unenforceable."
Third-party ownership involves agents or other investors buying shares in young players, as if they were a commodity, in return for a percentage of their future transfer fees.
Top players from Argentina and Brazil, like Neymar, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Anderson and Hernanes, have been brought to Europe through transfer deals involving payouts to third-party owners.
FIFA banned the practice last year with the date for implementation being set for the start of May.
"Despite the ban announced by FIFA, which is welcome, FIFPro is not prepared to rest on its laurels," said Theo van Seggelen, secretary general of the organization.
"We see a need to reinforce FIFA's position and create an even stronger argument that improves on the new FIFA regulations."
FIFPro said third-party ownership "compromises a basic human right whereby individuals have the personal freedom to move and decide where to offer their labour."
