Labour Disputes
Texto da decisão
REF. FPSD-XXXXX
Decision of the
Dispute Resolution Chamber
passed on 2 April 2026
regarding an employment-related dispute concerning the Player A
COMPOSITION:
Frans DE WEGER (The Netherlands), Chairperson
Dana MOHAMED AL-NOAIMI (Qatar), Member
Peter LUKASEK (Slovakia), Member
CLAIMANT:
Player A, Country A
Represented by Legal Representative A
RESPONDENT:
Club A, Country B
Represented by Legal Representative B
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
I. Facts of the case
1.
On 28 August 2024, the Country A Player A (hereinafter: the Player or the Claimant) and the
Country B Club B (hereinafter: the Club or the Respondent) entered into an employment
contract valid for one season, as from 28 August 2024 until the end of THE 2024/2025
season.
2.
According to clause 3.1 of the Contract, “If the Player have 20 appearances in the first season
matches, the player’s contract could be extended for the second season (2025-2026)
automatically with the terms mentioning in article 4.”
3.
According to clause 4 of the Contract, the parties agreed on the following remuneration
(quoted verbatim):
“-First Sport Season:
Based on the two parties’ agreement the total amount for Sport Season 2024-2025 paid by
the Club to the Player will be an amount of USD 810’000 Net (Eight Hundred Ten thousand
Dollars) in following terms:
•
The Club will pay to the Player an amount of USD 200’000 as signing fee on 31 August 2024
and Ten (10) equal instalments of USD 61’000 each on the 20th day of each month from
September 2024 to June 2025.
-Second sport season:
Based on the (Article 3.1 In current contract) the total amount for Sport Season 2025-2026
paid by the Club to the Player will be an amount of USD 870’000 Net (Eight Hundred Seventy
Thousand Dollars) in following terms:
•
The Club will pay to the Player an amount of USD 210’000 as signing fee on 31 July 2025
and Ten (10) equal instalments of USD 66’000 each on the 20th day of each month from
September 2025 to June 2026.”
4.
On 15 May 2025, the parties signed an agreement (hereinafter: the Agreement) by means of
which they decided to terminate the Contract and not to prolong it for the additional
season.
5.
In addition, the Agreement stated as follows (quoted verbatim):
“The PARTIES herewith agree that in view of a full and final settlement of all obligations
resulting from the EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT and its termination, Club A shall pay to the
PLAYER the remaining amount of the first season (2024–2025) until 05 June 2025.
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
In addition to the above clause, the Club shall pay an amount equivalent to three months of
the upcoming season (2025–2026) (totally equal to USD 261,000), in three installments, on 10
July 2025, 10 August 2025, and 10 September 2025 respectively.
Besides the amount stipulated herein, the PLAYER has no further claim against Club A based
on the EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT. The present agreement is valid for full and final settlement
of the employment relationship between Club A and the PLAYER.”
II. Proceedings before FIFA
6.
On 23 July 2025, the Claimant filed the claim at hand before FIFA. A summary of the parties’
respective positions is detailed below.
a. Claim of the Claimant
7.
The Player lodged a claim with FIFA for overdue payables arising from the Contract and the
Agreement.
8.
The Player alleged that the following salaries remained outstanding of the total amount of
USD 444,000 as well as the first instalment of the Agreement of USD 87,000 due on 10 July
2025:
-
9.
November 2024: USD 17,000;
December 2024: USD 61,000;
January 2025: USD 61,000;
February 2025: USD 61,000;
March 2025: USD 61,000;
April 2025: USD 61,000;
May 2025: USD 61,000;
June 2025: USD 61,000.
In view of the above, the Player requested the following relief:
« Reconnaître que le Club A est en défaut de ses obligations contractuelles ;
Condamner le club à verser immédiatement à Joueur A:
-
444 000 USD de salaires impayés ;
87 000 USD de compensation du 10 juillet 2025 ;
Intérêts sur les montants dus ;
Dommages-intérêts pour préjudice professionnel pour la somme de 50 000 USD. »
“To find that Club A is in breach of its contractual obligations;
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
To order the club to immediately pay Player A:
- 444 000 USD in unpaid wages;
- 87 000 USD in compensation as of July 10, 2025;
- Interest on the amounts due;
- Damages for professional harm in the amount of 50 ,000 USD.” (Freely translated in
English)
b. Reply of the Respondent
10. In its reply, the Club argued that the following salaries have been paid and provided the
relevant proof of payments signed by the Player:
Title
Signing fee (part 1)
Signing fee (part 2)
Salary September 2024
Salary October 2024
Salary November 2024
Salary December 2024
Salary January and February 2025
Date
26.09.2024
19.10.2024
19.11.2024
26.11.2024
16.12.2024
11.02 2024
18.03.2024
Amount
USD 100,000
USD 100,000
USD 61,000
USD 61,000
USD 61,000
USD 61,000
USD 122,000
11. However, the Club acknowledged that four salaries of USD 61,000 each remained
outstanding which had to be paid to the Player by 5 June 2025, in line with clause 3 of the
Agreement. In addition, the Club acknowledged that the amount of USD 81,000
corresponding to the first instalment of the compensation agreed upon in the Agreement
also remains outstanding.
12. The Club also disputed the Player’s allegation according to which he had sent many default
notices. The Club argued that there is no such evidence on file.
13. In addition, the Club rejected the request of additional compensation of USD 50,000 and
argued that it is unfounded.
14. In view of the above, the Club requested the following relief (quoted verbatim):
“In result, the Respondent requests that the claim of the Claimant be reduced to USD 244'000
plus interest of 5% p.a. since 6 June 2025 until the date of effective payment, and USD 87'000
plus interest of 5% p.a. since 11 July 2025 until the date of effective payment, and that all
further claims of the Claimant be rejected. All legal and procedural costs related to the present
procedure shall be borne by the Claimant.”
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
c. Replica of the Claimant
15. The Player confirmed that the outstanding amount arising from the Contract corresponded
to USD 240,000 as alleged by the Club.
16. In addition, the Player claimed that during the course of the present claim, the last two
instalments fell due (10 August 2025 and 20 September 2025).
17. Consequently, the Claimant modified his request for relief as follows (quoted verbatim):
« 1. La reconnaissance du manquement du Club A à ses obligations contractuelles ;
2. La condamnation du Club a au paiement immédiat au profit de Joueur A des sommes
suivantes :
- 244 000 USD au titre des salaires impayés pour la saison 2024-2025 ;
- 87 000 USD de compensation due le 10 juillet 2025 ;
- 87 000 USD de compensation due le 10 août 2025 ;
- 87 000 USD de compensation due le 10 septembre 2025 ;
- Les intérêts sur l’ensemble des montants dus ;
- 50 000 USD à titre de dommages-intérêts pour préjudice professionnel. »
“1. A finding that Club A has breached its contractual obligations;
2. An order requiring Club A to immediately pay Player A the following amounts:
- USD 244,000 in unpaid wages for the 2024–2025 season;
- USD 87,000 in compensation due on July 10, 2025;
- USD 87,000 in compensation due on August 10, 2025;
- USD 87,000 in compensation due on September 10, 2025;
- Interest on all amounts due;
- USD 50,000 in damages for professional harm.” (Freely translated in English)
d. Duplica of the Respondent
18. In its duplica, the Club acknowledged that the last two instalments have not been paid.
19. In view of the above, the Club requested the following relief (quoted verbatim):
1) The claim of the Claimant be reduced to:
• USD 244'000 plus interest of 5% p.a. since 6 June 2025, and
• USD 87'000 plus interest of 5% p.a. since 11 July 2025, and
• USD 87'000 plus interest of 5% p.a. since 11 August 2025, and
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
• USD 87'000 plus interest of 5% p.a. since 11 September 2025;
2) all further claims of the Claimant be rejected;
3) the legal and procedural costs related to the present procedure be borne by the Claimant.
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
III. Considerations of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
a. Competence and applicable legal framework
20. First of all, the Dispute Resolution Chamber (hereinafter: the Chamber or DRC) analysed
whether it was competent to deal with the case at hand. In this respect, it took note that
the present matter was presented to FIFA on 23 July 2025 and submitted for decision on 2
April 2026. Taking into account the wording of arts. 32 and 35 of the January 2026 edition
of the Procedural Rules Governing the Football Tribunal (hereinafter: the Procedural Rules),
the aforementioned edition of the Procedural Rules is applicable to the matter at hand.
21. Furthermore, the Chamber referred to art. 2 par. 1 of the Procedural Rules and observed
that in accordance with art. 23 par. 1 in combination with art. 22 par. 1 lit. b) of the
Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (hereinafter: the Regulations) (July 2025
edition), the Dispute Resolution Chamber is competent to deal with the matter at stake,
which concerns an employment-related dispute with an international dimension between
a Country A player and an Country B club.
22. Subsequently, the Chamber analysed which regulations should be applicable as to the
substance of the matter. In this respect, it confirmed that, in accordance with art. 29 of the
Regulations, the July 2025 edition of the Regulations is applicable to the matter at hand as
to the substance.
b. Burden of proof
23. The Chamber recalled the basic principle of burden of proof, as stipulated in art. 13
par. 5 of the Procedural Rules, according to which a party claiming a right on the basis of
an alleged fact shall carry the respective burden of proof. Likewise, the Chamber stressed
the wording of art. 13 par. 4 of the Procedural Rules, pursuant to which it may consider
evidence not filed by the parties, including without limitation the evidence generated by or
within the Transfer Matching System (TMS).
c. Merits of the dispute
24. Having established the competence and the applicable regulations, the Chamber entered
into the merits of the dispute. In this respect, the Chamber started by acknowledging all
the above-mentioned facts as well as the arguments and the documentation on file.
However, the Chamber emphasised that in the following considerations it will refer only to
the facts, arguments and documentary evidence, which it considered pertinent for
assessing the matter at hand.
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
i. Main legal discussion and considerations
25. The Chamber then moved to the substance of the matter, and acknowledged that its task
was to determine which amounts remained outstanding from the parties’ employment
relationship.
26. In this regard, the Chamber noted that the Player requested the amount of USD 244,000
arising from the Contract as well as the amount of USD 261,000 arising from the Agreement
and that the Club acknowledged that the above amounts remain outstanding.
27. Consequently, the Chamber decided to award the total amount of USD 505,000 as
outstanding amount arising from the Contract and the Agreement.
28. In addition, taking into consideration the Claimant’s request as well as the constant practice
of the Football Tribunal in this regard, the Chamber decided to award the Claimant interest
at the rate of 5% p.a. on the outstanding amounts as follows:
-
5% interest over the amount of USD 244,000 as from 6 June 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
5% interest over the amount of USD 87,000 as from 11 July 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
5% interest over the amount of USD 87,000 as from 11 August 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
5% interest over the amount of USD 87,000 as from 11 September 2025 until the
date of effective payment.
29. Lastly, the Chamber decided to reject the Player’s request for moral damages based on the
jurisprudence of the Football Tribunal and art. 13 par. 5 of the Procedural Rules. In fact, the
Chamber remarked that the Claimant did not provide any evidence or justification
regarding the alleged moral damages suffered, or their quantification.
ii. Compliance with monetary decisions
30. Finally, taking into account the applicable Regulations, the Chamber referred to art. 24 par.
1 and 2 of the Regulations, which stipulate that, with its decision, the pertinent FIFA
deciding body shall also rule on the consequences deriving from the failure of the
concerned party to pay the relevant amounts of outstanding remuneration and/or
compensation in due time.
31. In this regard, the DRC highlighted that, against clubs, the consequence of the failure to
pay the relevant amounts in due time shall consist of a ban from registering any new
players, either nationally or internationally, up until the due amounts are paid. The overall
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
maximum duration of the registration ban shall be of up to three entire and consecutive
registration periods.
32. Therefore, bearing in mind the above, the DRC decided that the Respondent must pay the
full amount due (including all applicable interest) to the Claimant within 45 days of
notification of the decision, failing which, at the request of the Claimant, a ban from
registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the maximum duration
of three entire and consecutive registration periods shall become immediately effective on
the Respondent in accordance with art. 24 par. 2, 4, and 7 of the Regulations.
33. The Respondent shall make full payment (including all applicable interest) to the bank
account provided by the Claimant in the Bank Account Registration Form, which is attached
to the present decision.
34. The DRC recalled that the above-mentioned ban will be lifted immediately and prior to its
complete serving upon payment of the due amounts, in accordance with art. 24 par. 8 of
the Regulations.
d. Costs
35. The Chamber referred to art. 25 par. 1 of the Procedural Rules, according to which
“Procedures are free of charge where at least one of the parties is a player, coach, football agent,
or match agent”. Accordingly, the Chamber decided that no procedural costs were to be
imposed on the parties.
36. Likewise, and for the sake of completeness, the Chamber recalled the contents of art. 25
par. 8 of the Procedural Rules and decided that no procedural compensation shall be
awarded in these proceedings.
37. Lastly, the DRC concluded its deliberations by rejecting any other requests for relief made
by any of the parties.
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
IV. Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
1.
The claim of the Claimant, Player A, is partially accepted.
2.
The Respondent, Club A, must pay the Claimant the following amount:
- USD 505,000 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as follows:
- 5% interest over the amount of USD 244,000 as from 6 June 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
- 5% interest over the amount of USD 87,000 as from 11 July 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
- 5% interest over the amount of USD 87,000 as from 11 August 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
- 5% interest over the amount of USD 87,000 as from 11 September 2025 until the
date of effective payment.
3.
Any further claims of the Claimant are rejected.
4.
Full payment (including all applicable interest) shall be made to the bank account indicated
in the enclosed updated Bank Account Registration Form.
5.
Pursuant to art. 24 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, if full payment
(including all applicable interest) is not made within 45 days of notification of this decision,
the following consequences shall apply:
1. The Respondent shall be banned from registering any new players, either nationally or
internationally, up until the due amount is paid. The maximum duration of the ban shall
be of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods.
2. The present matter shall be submitted, upon request, to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee
in the event that full payment (including all applicable interest) is still not made by the
end of the three entire and consecutive registration periods.
6.
The consequences shall only be enforced at the request of the Claimant in accordance
with art. 24 par. 7 and 8 and art. 25 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
7.
This decision is rendered without costs.
For the Football Tribunal:
Emilio García Silvero
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
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REF. FPSD-XXXXX
NOTE RELATED TO THE APPEAL PROCEDURE:
According to art. 50 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, this decision may be appealed against before
the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the notification of this
decision.
NOTE RELATED TO THE PUBLICATION:
FIFA may publish this decision. For reasons of confidentiality, FIFA may decide, at the request
of a party within five days of the notification of the motivated decision, to publish an
anonymised or a redacted version (cf., art. 17 of the Procedural Rules Governing the Football
Tribunal).
CONTACT INFORMATION
Fédération Internationale de Football Association – Legal & Compliance Division
396 Alhambra Circle, 6th floor, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida, USA 33134
legal.fifa.com | [email protected] | T: +41 (0)43 222 7777
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