TAS 2025 A 11129 Carlos Florenciañez Vera v. Club Independiente Bolivia & FIFA ES
CAS · Football (FIFA / CAS) · Switzerland · 23 Mar 2026
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of procedural fairness in FIFA disciplinary proceedings, particularly when a settlement agreement is disputed. The CAS annulled the FIFA decision that had summarily dismissed the player's appeal without substantive review, reinforcing that disciplinary bodies must provide reasoned decisions and respect the right to be heard. It also clarifies that a decision declaring an appeal inadmissible is a final, appealable act before CAS.
Summary
The case involves a Paraguayan professional footballer, Carlos Augusto Florenciañez Vera, who had a contract with Club Independiente of Bolivia. The club terminated the contract without just cause, and the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber ordered the club to pay USD 53,653 (salary and compensation). The club failed to pay, leading to a registration ban. Later, the club presented a settlement agreement allegedly signed in December 2023, claiming it had paid USD 13,000. The player disputed the agreement's validity, citing coercion and lack of proper signature. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee, without addressing the player's objections, accepted the agreement and lifted the ban. The player appealed, but the FIFA Appeal Committee declared the appeal inadmissible, stating that execution matters fall outside its competence. The player then appealed to CAS. The CAS Sole Arbitrator found that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's decision to lift the ban based on the disputed agreement was procedurally flawed because it failed to consider the player's arguments and lacked proper reasoning. The decision declaring the appeal inadmissible was also annulled because it effectively denied the player any internal review. The CAS remitted the case to FIFA for a new, properly reasoned decision and reinstated the registration ban pending that decision. The award highlights the need for FIFA bodies to provide due process and reasoned decisions, especially when factual disputes exist.
The detail
Parties: TAS 2025 A 11129 Carlos Florenciañez Vera v. Club Independiente Bolivia & FIFA ES
Outcome: Appeal against FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision FDD-19145 dismissed; appeal against decision FDD-19240 upheld and annulled; case remitted to FIFA for proper proceedings; registration ban reinstated pending FIFA's new decision; each respondent to pay CHF 1,000 towards appellant's legal costs.
Applicable law: FIFA Disciplinary Code (CDF), CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration (2023 edition), Swiss law
Issues in play: The validity of a settlement agreement between player and club was contested; the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's failure to consider the player's objections and lack of reasoning in rejecting his appeal raised due process concerns.
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.