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CAS 2018 A 5886 (CAS)

Why it matters

This case clarifies the strict duty of football officials to immediately report any potential breach of ethics, even if they do not personally benefit. It confirms that facilitating or failing to prevent a match-fixing attempt violates FIFA's anti-corruption rules, and that ignorance or poor relationships with federations do not excuse non-reporting. The decision reinforces the importance of integrity in football and sets a precedent for holding coaches accountable for their inaction.

Summary

Ramon Enrique Maradiaga, head coach of El Salvador's national football team, was approached by an agent offering financial rewards to players to manipulate the outcome of a World Cup qualifying match against Canada. Maradiaga told the agent to speak directly with the players and did not report the incident to FIFA or FESFUT. The players later publicly revealed the offer, leading to a FIFA investigation. The FIFA Ethics Committee found Maradiaga violated Articles 18 (duty to report) and 21 (bribery and corruption) of the FIFA Code of Ethics, imposing a two-year ban and CHF 20,000 fine. Maradiaga appealed to CAS, arguing he had no duty to report and did not facilitate the meeting. The CAS Sole Arbitrator upheld the decision, finding that Maradiaga's failure to prevent the meeting and report the agent constituted a breach. The award emphasizes that officials must immediately report any potential ethical breach, regardless of personal relationships or perceived harmlessness.

The detail

Parties: Ramon Enrique Maradiaga v. FIFA

Case number: CAS 2018 A 5886

Outcome: Appeal dismissed; two-year ban from football-related activities and CHF 20,000 fine upheld.

Quantum: CHF 20,000

Applicable law: FIFA Code of Ethics (2012 edition), FIFA Disciplinary Code, FIFA Statutes

Issues in play: Duty to report (Article 18.1) vs. failure to report; prohibition of bribery and corruption (Article 21) vs. facilitating match-fixing attempt.

Read the full decision at Court of Arbitration for Sport (football, via FIFA) ↗

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