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TAS 2024 A 10633 Club Sport Emelec v. FIFA ES (CAS)

Why it matters

This award underscores the strict enforcement of FIFA disciplinary sanctions, particularly registration bans. It clarifies that registering any player, including minors and amateurs, during a ban constitutes a serious violation, regardless of the player's status or whether they played. The decision reinforces the autonomy of sports associations to impose proportionate sanctions to maintain the integrity of their regulatory systems.

Summary

Club Sport Emelec, an Ecuadorian football club, was previously ordered to pay a player and subsequently faced a registration ban for non-payment. After paying, the ban was lifted. However, during the ban, Emelec had registered 24 players, three of whom were minors (ages 16-17) registered for youth teams. FIFA's Disciplinary Committee found Emelec violated the ban and imposed a two-registration-period ban and a CHF 10,000 fine. Emelec appealed to CAS, arguing the ban was unclear, the registration was for minors only, and the sanction was disproportionate. The CAS sole arbitrator rejected all arguments, holding that the ban applied to all players, regardless of age or professional status, and that the sanction was proportionate given the seriousness of defying a FIFA decision. The award confirms that compliance with FIFA decisions is paramount and that even registering youth players during a ban is a severe infraction.

The detail

Parties: TAS 2024 A 10633 Club Sport Emelec v. FIFA ES

Outcome: Appeal dismissed; CAS confirmed FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decision imposing a two-registration-period ban and CHF 10,000 fine on Emelec for registering players while under a previous registration ban.

Quantum: CHF 10,000 fine

Applicable law: FIFA Disciplinary Code (CDF), particularly Articles 21 and 58; CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration; Swiss law.

Issues in play: The case involved the interpretation of Article 21 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code regarding sanctions for non-compliance with FIFA decisions, and the principle of proportionality in disciplinary 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.

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