Labour Disputes
Texto da decisão
REF. FPSD-19013
Decision of the
Dispute Resolution Chamber
passed on 2 October 2025
regarding an employment-related dispute concerning the player
Erik Emanuel Longe Grønner
COMPOSITION:
Martín AULETTA (Argentina), Deputy Chairperson
Dana MOHAMED AL-NOAIMI (Qatar), Member
Stefano SARTORI (Italy), Member
CLAIMANT:
Erik Emanuel Longe Grønner, Norway
Represented by Nir Inbar
RESPONDENT:
Campionii FC Argeș, Romania
pg. 2
REF. FPSD-19013
I. Facts of the case
1.
On 10 July 2024, the Norwegian player Erik Emanuel Longe Grønner (hereinafter, the Player
or the Claimant) and the Romanian club Campionii FC Argeș (hereinafter, the Club or the
Respondent) concluded an employment contract (hereinafter, the Contract) the duration of
which was established, according to its Clause 2 lit. i), ii) and iii), as follows:
“i) This contract covers two distinct contractual periods: (i) starting from 20/07/2024 until
30/06/2025, (ii) starting from 01.07.2025 until 30.07.2026, only with the condition that the
team is promoted to LIGA 1 in the 2024-2025 season.
ii) The contract for the period 01.07.2025 to 30.06.2026 will enter into force automatically
only if the suspensive condition of the team’s promotion to LIGA 1 is fulfilled, in accordance
with the mutually agreed stability performance objective for the 2024-2025 season of the
National Football Championship of LEAGUE II.
iii) In the event that the suspensive condition will not be fulfilled, it will not be possible to
report to the second period, considering that the stipulations provided here do not exist”.
2.
In accordance with Clause 4 of the Contract, the Club undertook to pay the Player
(hereinafter, jointly referred to as the Parties) the following fixed monthly remuneration:
o EUR 6,000 net for the period from 20 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, payable in arrears
by the 25th day of each month; and
o EUR 10,000 net for the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, provided that the
Club participates in LIGA 1 during the 2025/2026 season.
3.
Furthermore, pursuant to Clause 4 iv. of the Contract, the Player was also entitled to, inter
alia, the following fringe benefits:
o “The club will provide the player with a rent in the amount of 2500 lei for the entire
duration of the contract”.
o “The player will receive two plane tickets during the vacation on the Bucharest – Home
rute”.
4.
On 12 February 2025, the Player put the Club in default, granting it a deadline of 15 days
to pay EUR 12,000 in salaries for October and November 2024, as well as RON 5,000 in rent
for the same period. The Player also reported that he had been obliged to train alone for
several weeks and formally requested to be reinstated in the team.
pg. 3
REF. FPSD-19013
5.
On 3 March 2025, the Player sent a second default notice to the Club, granting it a final
deadline until 5 March 2025 to pay his remuneration for the period from October 2024 to
January 2025, as well as the rent payments for these months. He reiterated to be reinstated
in the Club’s activities.
6.
On 5 March 2025, the Player unilaterally terminated the Contract.
7.
In the first days of April 2024, the Player’s legal representative and the Club engaged in
discussions regarding a potential settlement of their dispute via WhatsApp:
2 April 2025
[Player’s LR]: “(…) We must find a solution for the remaining of this season and for the next
season if you qualify. Let me know if you want to speak on the phone. If he finds his team
(…). If he finds a team, then the amount he receives from the team is deducted from the
money you need to pay him”.
14 April 2025
[Club]: “Hello, does [the Player] sign the termination agreement?”.
[Player’s LR]: “Hi. He will not sign this agreement. You need to pay him for remaining of the
season and if club qualifies, another amount”.
[Club]: “We pay it this week until 30.06.2025”.
[Player’s LR]: “Great. And then we need to make sure that if club qualifies, then, there’s
another payment that he requires”.
[Club]: “We can’t know that”.
8.
On 13 June 2025, the Player entered into a new employment contract with the Norwegian
club Åsane Fotball, valid until 31 December 2025.
9.
Pursuant to this employment contract, the Player is entitled to receive a monthly salary of
NOK 20,000.
pg. 4
REF. FPSD-19013
II. Proceedings before FIFA
10. On 24 April 2025, the Player filed the claim at hand before FIFA. A summary of the Parties’
respective positions is detailed below.
a. Claim of the Claimant
11. In his claim, the Player alleged that the Club failed to pay his monthly salaries for October,
November and December 2024, as well as for January and February 2025, in addition to
the rent payments for the same period.
12. The Player further asserted that the Club forced him to train alone and that he was subject
to daily humiliation by the head coach. This included being denied access to his personal
locker, excluded from his designated jersey number, and having his registration removed
from the squad. According to the Player, these actions caused him severe mental and
physical distress, including the onset of Alopecia Areata.
13. The Player acknowledged that, shortly before submitting his claim, the Club paid the five
outstanding salary instalments and rent payments. However, he contended that the Club
failed to pay the accrued interest and the salary for the days worked in May 2025 in the
amount of EUR 1,000 net.
14. The Player claimed to have had just cause to unilaterally terminate the Contract due to the
outstanding salaries and the Club’s actions in de-registering and excluding him from team
activities. He argued that he is entitled not only to compensation corresponding to the
residual value of the Contract, but also to an additional compensation equivalent to six
monthly salaries, given the egregious circumstances of the case.
15. The Player also claimed entitlement to reimbursement of the flight tickets used to return
home.
16. Based on the above, the Player requested the following relief:
“The Claimant respectfully requests that the FIFA Football Tribunal:
A. Outstanding Salaries
1.1 EUR 112 for 5% interest p.a of October 2024 monthly salary payment that was due
on 10.11.2024 and effectively paid on 28.3.2025.
1.2 EUR 87 for 5% interest p.a of November 2024 monthly salary payment that was due
on 10.12.2024 and effectively paid on 28.3.2025.
pg. 5
REF. FPSD-19013
1.3 EUR 62 for 5% interest p.a of December 2024 monthly salary payment that was due
on 10.1.2025 and effectively paid on 28.3.2025.
1.4 EUR 40 for 5% interest p.a of January 2025 monthly salary payment that was due on
10.2.2025 and effectively paid on 31.3.2025.
1.5 EUR 22 for 5% interest p.a of February 2025 monthly salary payment that was due
on 5.3.2025 and effectively paid on 1.4.2025.
1.6 EUR 1,000 for the services provided by the Claimant during March 2025 (5 days out
of 30), at 5% interest p.a as from 5.3.2025 until effective payment date.
B. Residual value of the Contract
1.1 EUR 24,000 for the residual value of the 2024/25 season, at 5% interest p.a as from
5.3.2025 until effective payment date.
1.2 In the case that the Respondent promotes at the end of the 2024/25 season to "Liga
1", then the Residual value of the Contract, in respect with the 2025/26 shall be EUR
120,000 (12 months x 10,000), at 5% interest p.a as from 5.3.2025 until effective
payment date.
1.3 In case the honorable FIFA Football Tribunal shall make a decision on this case
before the end of the 2024/25 Romanian "Liga 2" competitions, then, in the
alternative, it is requested to declare that the Respondent is liable to pay the
Claimant this mentioned residual value in case and upon occurrence of promotion
to "Liga 1".
C. Additional Compensation
1.1 EUR 36,000 as "additional compensation" for egregious circumstances in
accordance with Art. 17 par. 1 lit. ii of the RSTP, at 5% interest p.a as from 5.3.2025
until effective payment date.
D. Contractual Reimbursement
1.1 Reimbursement of Return Flight Ticket in the amount of NOK 2,584 + EUR 50, at 5%
interest p.a as from 3.5.2025 until effective payment date.
FIFA Football Tribunal shall impose sporting sanctions on the Respondent.
The Claimant reserves his right to submit a response to the Respondent's submission of
defense”.
pg. 6
REF. FPSD-19013
b. Reply of the Respondent
17. In its reply, the Club initially acknowledged delays in the payment of certain monthly salary
and rent instalments due to significant financial difficulties. However, it categorically denied
the Player’s allegations of isolation, harassment, and any resulting medical consequences.
18. The Club argued that it acted in good faith by attempting to settle the debt through
payment of the Player’s remuneration up to the end of the Contract (i.e., June 2025),
demonstrating its efforts to resolve the matter amicably. It further claimed that the Player
insisted on receiving payment for the following season as well.
19. Additionally, the Club contended that, after receiving his outstanding salaries, the Player
attempted to falsely associate a medical condition with his time at the Club in order to claim
additional compensation, which, according to the Club, reflected bad faith.
20. The Club maintained that the Player failed to submit any supporting evidence, and that his
claims were unsubstantiated assertions. Specifically, the Club pointed out that the medical
report provided by the Player indicated treatment for Alopecia Areata beginning in October
2024, whereas the alleged harassment reportedly began in February 2025. On this basis,
the Club rejected the existence of egregious circumstances and the Player’s claim for
additional compensation.
21. The Club also disputed the amount of compensation claimed by the Player, arguing that it
should be limited to EUR 775 for 4 days in March 2025, and EUR 18,000 for the months of
April, May, and June 2025.
22. Furthermore, the Club asserted that the Contract included an initial term from 20 July 2024
to 30 June 2025, and a conditional extension from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, contingent
upon the Club’s promotion to Liga 1 at the end of the 2024/2025 season. The Club argued
that, at the time of termination, this condition had not yet been fulfilled, nor was it
determinable, as it depended on a future and uncertain event. Therefore, the Player could
not claim compensation for a contractual period that had not yet come into existence.
According to the Club, “His own unilateral action effectively prevented the possibility of this
condition being met under the terms of his contract.”
23. Finally, the Club rejected the Player’s claim for reimbursement of flight tickets, asserting
that his departure did not occur during a mutually agreed vacation period, but rather
followed his unilateral termination of the Contract.
24. Based on the foregoing, the Club requested the following relief:
“Based on the factual and legal arguments presented, [the Club] respectfully requests the
FIFA Football Tribunal the following:
pg. 7
REF. FPSD-19013
I. Rejection of Interest on Payments (A.1.1. - A.1.5 of the Claim);
II. Reduction of Claim A.1.6. (March Payments): We request that claim A.1.6. be reduced
from the asserted "4 days of March" to a maximum of €775, as this amount accurately
reflects any outstanding obligations for that period.
III. Rejection/Reduction of Residual Value (B.1.1. of the Claim): We seek a complete rejection
of claim B.1.1. for the residual value of the 2024-2025 season in the amount of €24,000.
In the alternative, should the Tribunal consider this claim valid, we request a substantial
reduction of this amount as it was incorrectly calculated and also to deduct the new
contract of the player
IV. Rejection of 2025-2026 Season Claim (B.1.2.): We request a full rejection of claim B.1.2.,
which seeks €120,000 for the 2025-2026 season, as this claim is entirely without merit.
V. Rejection of Additional Compensation (C.1.1. of the Claim): We seek a complete rejection
of claim C.1.1. for additional compensation in the amount of €36,000, as there is no basis
for such a claim.
VI. Rejection of Flight Ticket Claim (D.1.1.): We request a full rejection of claim D.1.1.
concerning the flight ticket, as this request is not justified.
VII. Rejection of Sporting Sanctions: We strongly request the rejection of any imposition of
sporting sanctions against Fotbal Club Argeș, as such measures would be
disproportionate and unwarranted”.
pg. 8
REF. FPSD-19013
III. Considerations of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
a. Competence and applicable legal framework
25. 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 24 April 2025 and submitted for decision on
2 October 2025. Taking into account the wording of arts. 31 and 34 of the January 2025
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.
26. 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), it is competent to deal with the matter at stake, which concerns an employmentrelated dispute with an international dimension between a Norwegian player and a
Romanian club.
27. 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
28. 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
29. 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.
pg. 9
REF. FPSD-19013
i. Main legal discussion and considerations
30. The Chamber then moved to the substance of the matter and noted that it concerned a
dispute between a player and a club for breach of contract and its legal consequences.
31. The members of the DRC began the analysis of the present matter by briefly recalling the
Parties’ positions, starting with the Player, whose principal allegations may be summarised
as follows:
o The Club failed to pay several monthly salary instalments and rent payments, in
breach of its contractual duties, and disregarded the Player’s formal notices of
default.
o The Club excluded the Player from team activities, subjected him to humiliation in
front of teammates, and de-registered him from the squad.
o The Club only settled the outstanding remuneration after the termination of the
Contract, but failed to pay for five days worked in March 2025.
o The Club’s conduct adversely affected the Player’s health, resulting in a diagnosis of
Alopecia Areata.
32. On this basis, the Player claimed to have had just cause to unilaterally terminate the
Contract on 5 May 2025, following an unremedied notice of default, and claimed to be
entitled to interest on the late payments, the outstanding remuneration for days worked
in May 2025, reimbursement of the flight tickets incurred following the termination of the
Contract, and compensation for breach of contract, corresponding to the residual value of
the Contract, including the 2025/2026 season.
33. The Chamber also noted that, for its part, the Club did not contest the lawfulness of the
termination, but disputed the legal consequences thereof. Specifically, the Club argued
that:
o Payment delays were due to financial hardship.
o The amounts claimed for interest, outstanding remuneration, and compensation
were inaccurate.
o The Contract was valid until 30 June 2025, with the 2025/2026 extension being
conditional upon promotion to Liga 1, which had not occurred nor could be
determined at the time of termination.
o The Player is not entitled to reimbursement of flight tickets, as his departure did not
constitute a mutually agreed vacation.
pg. 10
REF. FPSD-19013
o The Player failed to provide evidence of egregious circumstances or a causal link
between the Club’s alleged conduct and his medical condition.
34. Upon thorough review of the Parties’ submissions, the Chamber first observed that the
lawfulness of the Player’s unilateral termination was not contested by the Club. At no point
did the Club argue that the termination lacked just cause; rather, it solely challenged the
legal consequences of the termination.
35. Accordingly, the DRC determined that the decision will focus exclusively on the legal
consequences attributable to the Club as a result of its breach of contract.
36. Notwithstanding the above, and for the sake of completeness, the Chamber noted that the
Player claimed non-payment of salary and rent for October and November 2024, which
were due on 25 November and 25 December 2024, respectively. The Player also submitted
written evidence of having placed the Club in default on 12 February 2025, i.e., at least 15
days before unilaterally terminating the Contract on 5 March 2025.
37. Considering that the Club admitted that the relevant payments were not made on time and
were only settled on 28 and 30 March and on 1 April 2025 — covering also the salaries for
December 2024, January and February 2025 —, the Chamber confirmed that the Player had
just cause to unilaterally terminate the Contract in accordance with art. 14bis of the
Regulations.
38. Given that the Player’s just cause has been established and was not disputed by the Club,
the Chamber determined that is not required to assess the additional breaches alleged by
the Player. However, the Player’s claims regarding egregious circumstances may be
considered when determining the extent of compensation due for the breach, where
applicable.
ii. Consequences
39. Having stated the above, the Chamber turned its attention to the question of the legal
consequences of the breach of contract committed by the Club.
40. The DRC noted that, in his claim, the Player acknowledged having received the following
payments:
o Monthly remuneration for October, November, and December 2024 on 28 March
2025;
o Salary for January 2025 on 31 March 2025; and
o Salary for February 2025 on 1 April 2025.
pg. 11
REF. FPSD-19013
41. On this basis, the Player requested the to be awarded interest of 5% per annum on the late
payments. Additionally, he claimed EUR 1,000 for services rendered during five days in
March 2025.
42. Conversely, the Club rejected the Player’s entitlement to the above claims, citing financial
difficulties and its prompt rectification of the outstanding principal amounts. The Club
further argued that the Player should only be entitled to EUR 775, corresponding to four
days of work in March 2025.
43. At this point, the Chamber recalled the well-established jurisprudence of the Football
Tribunal in accordance with which financial difficulties do not constitute a valid justification
for non-payment — or, in this case, late payment — of contractually agreed amounts.
Consequently, the DRC unanimously decided to reject the Club’s position in this respect.
44. Given that the Club itself admitted to having paid the Player’s remuneration with delay, and
following the constant practice of the Football Tribunal in this regard, the Chamber decided
to award the Player interest at a rate of 5% per annum on the late payments.
45. In this regard, the DRC recalled that, in accordance with Clause 4 lit. i) of the Contract, the
Club undertook to pay the Player his monthly remuneration in arrears on the 25th day of
each month. In light of this, the Chamber decided to award the aforementioned interest
rate on the late payments as follows:
o 5% p.a. on EUR 6,000 from 26 November 2024 until 28 March 2025;
o 5% p.a. on EUR 6,000 from 26 December 2024 until 28 March 2025;
o 5% p.a. on EUR 6,000 from 26 January 2025 until 28 March 2025;
o 5% p.a. on EUR 6,000 from 26 February 2025 until 31 March 2025; and
o 5% p.a. on EUR 6,000 from 26 March 2025 until 1 April 2025.
46. In continuation, the DRC noted that the Player also requested reimbursement for expenses
incurred in relation to a flight ticket. In support of this claim, the Player submitted what
appears to be a proof of payment, presented in its original language, without providing a
translation into English, Spanish or French.
47. In accordance with art. 13 par. 3 of the Procedural Rules, the Chamber determined that
such evidence must be disregarded due to the lack of a translation into English, Spanish or
French. Consequently, the Chamber decided that the Player’s claim for reimbursement of
flight expenses is rejected.
48. Having stated the above, the Chamber turned to the calculation of the amount of
compensation payable by the Club in the case at stake. In doing so, the Chamber firstly
recapitulated that, in accordance with art. 17 par. 1 of the Regulations, the amount of
pg. 12
REF. FPSD-19013
compensation shall be calculated, in particular and unless otherwise provided for in the
contract at the basis of the dispute, taking into account the damage suffered, according to
the “positive interest” principle, having regard for the individual facts and circumstances of
each case, and with due consideration for the law of the country concerned.
49. In application of the relevant provision, the Chamber held that it first of all had to clarify as
to whether the pertinent employment contract contained a provision by means of which
the Parties had beforehand agreed upon an amount of compensation payable by them in
the event of breach of contract. In this regard, the Chamber established that no such
compensation clause was included in the employment contract at the basis of the matter
at stake.
50. As a consequence, the members of the Chamber determined that the amount of
compensation payable by the Club to the Player had to be assessed in application of the
parameters set out in art. 17, par. 1 of the Regulations. In this respect, the Chamber recalled
that, as a general rule, the compensation to be paid to the Player by the Club shall be equal
to the residual value of the contract that was prematurely terminated, unless the Player
signed a new contract following the termination of his previous contract (cf. art. 17 par. 1
lit. i)).
51. With the above in mind, the Chamber noted that the duration of the Contract — and
therefore the relevant period of time for compensation purposes — was a point of
contention between the Parties. The Player asserted that the Contract was valid until 30
June 2026, whereas the Club maintained that the extension to the 2025/2026 season was
conditional upon the Club’s promotion to Liga 1 at the end of the 2024/2025 season, as
stipulated in Clause 2 of the Contract, which provides the following:
“i) This contract covers two distinct contractual periods: (i) starting from 20/07/2024 until
30/06/2025, (ii) starting from 01.07.2025 until 30.07.2026, only with the condition that the
team is promoted to LIGA 1 in the 2024-2025 season.
ii) The contract for the period 01.07.2025 to 30.06.2026 will enter into force automatically
only if the suspensive condition of the team’s promotion to LIGA 1 is fulfilled, in accordance
with the mutually agreed stability performance objective for the 2024-2025 season of the
National Football Championship of LEAGUE II.
iii) In the event that the suspensive condition will not be fulfilled, it will not be possible to
report to the second period, considering that the stipulations provided here do not exist”.
52. Upon careful analysis of the above clause, the Chamber concluded that the Parties clearly
and unambiguously agreed that the Contract was initially valid until 30 June 2025. The
second contractual period — from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 — was subject to a
suspensive condition, namely the Club’s promotion to Liga 1 at the end of the 2024/2025
pg. 13
REF. FPSD-19013
season. Therefore, if the Club did not achieve promotion, the Contract would expire on 30
June 2025.
53. In this context, the Chamber observed that the condition precedent for the automatic
extension of the Contract could not be established as fulfilled at the time of the Contract’s
termination. As such, any consideration of the second contractual period for the purpose
of calculating compensation would be speculative. Accordingly, the Chamber determined
that any compensation awarded must be limited to the contractual period ending on 30
June 2025.
54. Having established the above and bearing in mind the claim of the Claimant, the members
of the Chamber proceeded with the calculation of the monies payable to the Player under
the terms of the Contract from the date of its unilateral termination until its end date.
55. Consequently, the Chamber concluded that the amount of EUR 24,000 — representing the
Player’s monthly remuneration of EUR 6,000 for the period from March to June 2025 —
serves as the basis for the determination of the amount of compensation for breach of
contract.
56. In continuation, the Chamber verified as to whether the Player had signed an employment
contract with another club during the relevant period of time, by means of which he would
have been enabled to reduce his loss of income. According to the constant practice of the
Football Tribunal as well as art. 17 par. 1 lit. ii) of the Regulations, such remuneration under
a new employment contract shall be taken into account in the calculation of the amount of
compensation for breach of contract in connection with the player’s general obligation to
mitigate his damages.
57. Indeed, the Player found employment with Åsane Fotball. In accordance with the pertinent
employment contract, the Player is entitled to approximately EUR 1,697 per month.
Therefore, the Chamber concluded that the Player mitigated his damages in the total
amount of EUR 1,697, that is, the June 2025 monthly salary.
58. Subsequently, the Chamber referred to art. 17 par. 1 lit. ii) of the Regulations, according to
which a Player is entitled to an amount corresponding to three monthly salaries as
additional compensation should the termination of the employment contract at stake be
due to overdue payables. In the case at hand, the Chamber confirmed that the contract
termination took place due to, inter alia, said reason (i.e., overdue payables by the Club),
and therefore decided that the Player shall receive additional compensation.
59. In this respect, the DRC decided to award the amount of additional compensation of
EUR 18,000, (i.e., three times the monthly remuneration of the Player).
pg. 14
REF. FPSD-19013
60. At this point, the Chamber took note of the Player’s request for additional compensation
equivalent to six monthly salaries, rather than the three monthly salaries already awarded,
citing egregious circumstances surrounding the termination of the Contract.
61. However, upon review of the case file, the members of the Chamber observed that the
Player did not submit sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations in support of this
claim. In particular, the Chamber noted the absence of documentation or corroborating
material regarding the alleged exclusion from team activities, de-registration, or
harassment. Furthermore, the Chamber found that the Player did not establish a clear
causal link between the Club’s alleged conduct and the diagnosis of Alopecia Areata.
62. In light of the lack of substantiating evidence, the Chamber decided to reject the Player’s
claim for additional compensation based on egregious circumstances and, consequently,
his request for a further three monthly salaries.
63. The Chamber further reminded the Parties that, as per the last sentence of art. 17 par. 1
lit. ii) of the Regulations, the overall compensation may never exceed the rest value of the
prematurely terminated contract.
64. Consequently, on account of all the above-mentioned considerations and the specificities
of the case at hand, the Chamber decided that the Club must pay the amount of EUR 24,000
to the Player (i.e., EUR 24,000 minus EUR 1,697 plus EUR 18,000, limited to a maximum of
EUR 24,000), which was to be considered a reasonable and justified amount of
compensation for breach of contract in the present matter.
65. Lastly, taking into consideration the Player’s request as well as the constant practice of the
Football Tribunal in this regard, the Chamber decided to award the Player interest on said
compensation at the rate of 5% p.a. as of 5 March 2025 until the date of effective payment.
iii. Compliance with monetary decisions
66. 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.
67. 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
maximum duration of the registration ban shall be of up to three entire and consecutive
registration periods.
pg. 15
REF. FPSD-19013
68. 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.
69. 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.
70. 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
71. 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.
72. 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.
73. Lastly, the DRC concluded its deliberations by rejecting any other requests for relief made
by any of the Parties.
pg. 16
REF. FPSD-19013
IV. Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
1.
The claim of the Claimant, Erik Emanuel Longe Grønner, is partially accepted.
2.
The Respondent, Campionii FC Argeș, must pay to the Claimant the following amount(s):
o 5% interest per annum on the amount of 6,000 as from 26 November 2024 until 28 March
2025;
o 5% interest per annum on the amount of 6,000 as from 26 December 2024 until 28 March
2025;
o 5% interest per annum on the amount of 6,000 as from 26 January 2025 until 28 March
2025;
o 5% interest per annum on the amount of 6,000 as from 26 February 2025 until 31 March
2025;
o 5% interest per annum on the amount of 6,000 as from 26 March 2025 until 1 April 2025;
and
o EUR 24,000 as compensation for breach of contract plus 5% interest per annum as from
5 March 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 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.
pg. 17
REF. FPSD-19013
7.
This decision is rendered without costs.
For the Football Tribunal:
Emilio García Silvero
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
pg. 18
REF. FPSD-19013
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
pg. 19