Sports Law Case 5 BJ | Opuslaw-Final

Opus Law Secure Victory in Court of Arbitration for Sport Case

Ben Jones, Director was instructed by Bradford City Football Club in respect of a decision by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber in relation to professional player Mark Stewart.

At the time of instruction FIFA had ordered Bradford City FC to pay €250,000 in training compensation to Falkirk FC in respect of the afore mentioned player. We were asked to advise whether or not the club had a potentially viable appeal. The only other option to the club being to pay the amount ordered in full.

Leading Queens Counsel, Mr Simon Csoka QC, was instructed and the facts of the case scrutinised. The club were subsequently advised to appeal the FIFA DRC ruling to the highest sporting court, The Court of Arbitration for Sport. Appeal documents were lodged and the matter listed for a full hearing in Lausanne.

In November 2013 Ben Jones and Simon Csoka QC flew to Switzerland along with Bradford City CEO Mr David Baldwin. During a 3 hour hearing our appeal was argued on very novel and complex legal points. The appointed panel chose to consider the case and reserved judgment. This judgment was ultimately not delivered until March 2014.

The appeal was partially allowed and the amount of training compensation reduced from €250,000 to €185,000. Falkirk FC were also ordered to pay 20% of the CAS costs, which had initially been borne by Bradford City.