What is Locus Standi?

Locus Standi is a platform for the dispute-resolution world. It brings together arbitration, mediation and adjudication events, jobs and internships, and landmark arbitral awards explained in plain English, alongside the qualifications and pathways into the field. It was established in London at LIDW26 by the alumni of Queen Mary University of London.

Can Locus Standi help me understand a dispute?

Yes. Locus Standi offers free dispute help: paste your contract's dispute-resolution clause and a short note on what happened, and it works out the type of dispute, the governing law, your options, the right forum to file in, and drafts a basic document to start from, all in plain English.

What is the agentic AI case officer?

Locus Standi's workspace includes an AI case officer that helps practitioners run their matters: tracking stages and deadlines, raising alerts, organising to-dos and documents, and drafting. It is built for arbitrators, mediators and the institutions that administer disputes.

Where can I find arbitration events and internships?

Locus Standi keeps a live calendar of arbitration, mediation and adjudication events with one-tap calendar export, and a board of arbitration jobs and internships from institutions including the PCA, ICC, LCIA, SCC, SIAC and AIAC.

CAS 2020 A 6714 (CAS)

Why it matters

This case confirms that CAS will defer to FIFA disciplinary sanctions unless they are evidently and grossly disproportionate. It also clarifies that FIFA Circular 1628, while not a regulation, can be used to interpret the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and that financial difficulties do not excuse non-compliance with payment obligations. The award reinforces the predictability of sanctions under Article 64 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

Summary

Clube Atlético Mineiro (Mineiro) was ordered by a FIFA Players' Status Committee decision in 2016 to pay EUR 571,764 plus interest and costs to Udinese Calcio and fines to FIFA. Mineiro appealed to CAS, which confirmed the decision in 2017. Mineiro failed to pay, leading to FIFA disciplinary proceedings. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee found Mineiro in breach of Article 64 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code for non-compliance, imposed a CHF 20,000 fine, and ordered a two-registration-period transfer ban if payment was not made within 60 days. Mineiro appealed to CAS, arguing that the 2019 Disciplinary Code (which came into force after the breach) should not apply retroactively, and that the transfer ban was disproportionate. The Sole Arbitrator held that the 2017 Code applied, but that under both codes a transfer ban was a permissible sanction. The arbitrator found that the ban was not grossly disproportionate given the long delay and high amount, and that financial difficulties were no excuse. The appeal was dismissed.

The detail

Parties: Clube Atlético Mineiro v. FIFA

Case number: CAS 2020 A 6714

Outcome: Appeal dismissed; FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decision upheld.

Applicable law: FIFA Disciplinary Code (2017 edition), Swiss law, CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration

Issues in play: The case involved the principle of non-retroactivity of disciplinary sanctions (whether the 2019 or 2017 FIFA Disciplinary Code applied) and the principle of proportionality of sanctions.

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

Locus Standi links to the source decision and publishes its own plain-language summary. It does not reproduce the text of the award.

Back to the awards board