Labour Disputes
Texto da decisão
REF. FPSD-20387
Decision of the
Dispute Resolution Chamber
passed on 15 October 2025
regarding an employment-related dispute concerning the Player Thiago
Dylan Ceijas
BY:
Michele COLUCCI (Italy)
CLAIMANT:
Thiago Dylan Ceijas, Italy
Represented by Iva Nikolova
RESPONDENT:
Beroe, Bulgaria
Represented by Danilo Monti
pg. 2
REF. FPSD-20387
I. Facts of the case
1.
On 27 August 2024, the Italian and Spanish player, Thiago Dylan Ceijas (hereinafter: the
Player or the Claimant) and the Bulgarian club, Beroe (hereinafter: the Club or the
Respondent) entered into an employment contract (hereinafter: the Contract) valid as from
the date of signature until 31 May 2025.
2.
Clause 4 of the Contract read inter alia as follows:
“[…] 4.1.1 From June 2024 to May 2025: The Club shall pay the Player a monthly salary equal to
6,000.00 leva (Six Thousand Bulgarian Leva) net, payable by the 25 of each subsequent month
for the previous one.
[…]
4.1.2.2 all amounts stipulated in clause 4.1.1. are net.
4.1.3 The Player will be entitled to an additional bonus for success, which is as follows:
I. Тhe Player will be entitled to an additional bonus per goal and/or assistance of 200 BGN (only
applies if made in an official match). This bonus will be paid on 25 of each subsequent month
for [the] previous one.
[…]
4.1.11 The Player will receive 500 BGN (Five Hundred Bulgarian Leva) per month as housing
allowance. […]”
3.
On 28 May 2025, the Player put the Club in default requesting BGN 28,780 corresponding
to:
“➢ Part of the August 2024 salary in the amount of BGN 580 NET payable until 25 September
2024;
➢ Salary and housing allowance for January 2025 in the amount of BGN 6500 NET payable
until 25 February 2025;
➢ Salary and housing allowance for February 2025 in the amount of BGN 6500 NET payable
until 25 March 2025;
➢ Salary and housing allowance for March 2025 in the amount of BGN 6500,00 NET payable
until 25 April 2025;
➢ Salary and housing allowance for April 2025 in the amount of BGN 6500 NET payable until
25 May 2025;
➢ Housing allowance for four months (September 2024, October 2024, November 2024,
December 2024) amounting to BGN 2000 NET.
pg. 3
REF. FPSD-20387
➢ Bonuses in the amount of BGN 200 for assisting in the official match between PFC Arda
Kardzhali and PFC Beroe Stara Zagora held on 4 October 2024”.
The Player granted the Club a deadline until 9 June 2025 to settle the outstanding
amounts.
4.
On 5 June 2025, the Player sent a reminder to Club, reiterating the outstanding amounts
and the previously granted deadline for payment.
II. Proceedings before FIFA
5.
On 18 August 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
6.
The Claimant lodged a claim for overdue payables. The Player mentioned that the Club
failed to pay his remuneration and requested the following amounts
“A. Part of the August 2024 salary in the amount of BGN 580,00 NET with interest of 5% p.a.
started accruing as from 26 September 2024;
B. Housing allowance for September 2024, in the amount of BGN 500,00 NET with interest of 5%
p.a. started accruing as from 26 October 2024;
C. Bonuses in the amount of BGN 200,00 NET for assisting in the official match between PFC
Arda Kardzhali and PFC Beroe Stara Zagora held on 4 October 2024, with interest of 5% p.a.
started accruing as from 26 November 2024;
D. Housing allowance for October 2024, in the amount of BGN 500,00 NET with interest of 5%
p.a. started accruing as from 26 November 2024;
E. Housing allowance for November 2024, in the amount of BGN 500,00 NET with interest of 5%
p.a. started accruing as from 26 December 2024;
F. Housing allowance for December 2024, in the amount of BGN 500,00 NET with interest of 5%
p.a. started accruing as from 26 January 2025;
G. Salary and housing allowance for January 2025 in the amount of BGN 6500,00 NET with
interest of 5% p.a. started accruing as from 26 February 2025;
H. Salary and housing allowance for February in the amount of BGN 6500,00 NET with interest
of 5% p.a. started accruing as from 26 March 2025;
I. Salary and housing allowance for March 2025 in the amount of BGN 6500,00 NET with interest
of 5% p.a. started accruing as from 26 April 2025;
J. Salary and housing allowance for April 2025 in the amount of BGN 6500,00 NET with interest
of 5% p.a. started accruing as from 26 May 2025;
K. Salary and housing allowance for May 2025 in the amount of BGN 6500,00 NET with interest
of 5% p.a. started accruing as from 1 June 2025;
pg. 4
REF. FPSD-20387
7.
The Player requested the following relief:
“1) To deal with this matter in an expedited manner pursuant to Art. 12bis RSTP.
2) To order PFC Beroe Stara Zagora to pay Mr Thiago Ceijas the amount of BGN 35 280 plus
interest of 5% per annum until the date of effective full payment as detailed in item 29 above;
3) to sanction the Respondent in accordance with Art. 12bis par. 4 RSTP.”
b. Reply of the Respondent
8.
On 19 August 2025, the FIFA general secretariat invited the Respondent to provide its
position until 3 September 2025.
9.
On 27 August 2025, the Respondent requested an extension to provide its position.
10. On the same day, 27 August 2025, the FIFA general secretariat granted the Respondent a
deadline until 13 September 2025.
11. On 15 September 2025, the Respondent provided its position which is described
hereinafter.
12. The Respondent acknowledged that, due to financial constraints, it failed to pay the Player’s
salary in a timely manner.
13. Furthermore, the Club contested certain aspects of the Player’s claim, particularly the
request for a bonus of BGN 200, which the Player allegedly based on information from an
unofficial source, namely Transfermarkt. In addition, the Club asserted that, according to
its financial records, the total amount outstanding to the Player was BGN 34,325.50, rather
than BGN 35,280 as claimed by the Player.
c. Additional comments of the Claimant
14. In his initial correspondence dated 18 September 2025, the Player stated as follows:
“I would like to stress that the Respondent made its submission on 15 September 2025, two days
after the extension of the final time limit, i.e. 13 September 2025, established in the FIFA letter
dated 27 August 2025.
Therefore, on behalf of the Claimant, I hereby ask FIFA Football Tribunal the Respondent’s
submission to not be taken into consideration, as it was made after the extension of the ultimate
deadline set by FIFA, thus he accepted the FIFA General Secretariat’s proposal as “A party that
fails to respond to a proposal is deemed to have accepted it”.
15. Then, on 22 September 2025, the Player indicated:
pg. 5
REF. FPSD-20387
“After careful review of the documents provided by the Respondent, the Claimant is agree with
the amount of BGN 34 325.50, however, the Respondent has also to pay to the Claimant the
BGN 200 for assisting in the official match between PFC Arda Kardzhali and PFC Beroe Stara
Zagora held on 4 October 2024.
Thus, the global amount that the Respondent has to pay to the Claimant is amounting to BGN
34 525.50 plus the 5% default interest p.a. starts running from the dates detailed in the
Statement of Claim until the date of effective payment”
III. Considerations of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
a. Competence and applicable legal framework
16. First of all, the Single Judge of the Dispute Resolution Chamber (hereinafter: the Single Judge)
analysed whether he was competent to deal with the case at hand. In this respect, he took
note that the present matter was presented to FIFA on 18 August 2025 and submitted for
decision on 15 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.
17. Furthermore, the Single Judge 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
an Italian and Spanish player and a Bulgarian club.
18. Subsequently, the Single Judge analysed which regulations should be applicable as to the
substance of the matter. In this respect, he 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. Admissibility
19. The Claimant argued that the Club’s response was not submitted within the deadline
granted by the FIFA general secretariat.
20. In this respect, the Single Judge recalled the wording of art. 11 par. 3 of the Procedural
Rules which states that: “If the last day of a time limit coincides with an official public holiday
or a non-working day in the place of domicile of the party required to comply, the time limit will
expire at the end of the next working day”.
pg. 6
REF. FPSD-20387
21. In this respect, the Single Judge noted that the deadline granted to the Respondent on 13
September 2025 fell on a Saturday, and that the next working day was 15 September 2025.
Accordingly, the Single Judge determined that the Respondent’s submission is admissible.
c. Burden of proof
22. The Single Judge 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 Single Judge
stressed the wording of art. 13 par. 4 of the Procedural Rules, pursuant to which he may
consider evidence not filed by the parties, including without limitation the evidence
generated by or within the Transfer Matching System (TMS).
d. Merits of the dispute
23. Having established the competence and the applicable regulations, the Single Judge
entered into the merits of the dispute. In this respect, the Single Judge started by
acknowledging all the above-mentioned facts as well as the arguments and the
documentation on file. However, the Single Judge emphasised that in the following
considerations he will refer only to the facts, arguments and documentary evidence, which
he considered pertinent for assessing the matter at hand.
i. Main legal discussion and considerations
24. The Single Judge then moved to the substance of the matter, and noted that the dispute
concerned a claim lodged by the Claimant against the Respondent regarding overdue
payables allegedly arising from the Contract.
25. In this regard, the Single Judge noted that both parties are in agreement that the amount
of BGN 34,325.50 remains outstanding. However, both parties disputed the Player’s
entitlement to a bonus of BGN 200 for assisting a goal in an official match.
26. In light of the above, the Single Judge emphasized that, given the undisputed fact that the
Club failed to pay the Player’s remuneration in the amount of BGN 34,325.50, the Player
was entitled to such amount in accordance with the general legal principle of pacta sunt
servanda.
27. The Single Judge then addressed the disputed issue, namely the Player’s entitlement to the
match bonus of BGN 200. In this regard, the Single Judge referred to the wording of clause
4.1.3 of the Contract:
“The Player will be entitled to an additional bonus for success, which is as follows:
pg. 7
REF. FPSD-20387
I. Тhe Player will be entitled to an additional bonus per goal and/or assistance of 200 BGN
(only applies if made in an official match). This bonus will be paid on 25 of each subsequent
month for [the] previous one.”
28. The Single Judge then observed that the Club contested the evidence submitted by the
Player, alleging that the documentation originated from unreliable and unofficial sources.
However, the Club failed to provide any counter-evidence, such as the official data it
referred to, that would contradict the Player’s submissions. In this regard, given that the
Club challenged the validity of the Player’s documentation, the burden of proof rested with
the Club to demonstrate that the results reflected therein were inaccurate. In the absence
of such proof, the Single Judge decided to take into consideration the evidence provided
by the Player.
29. In view of the above considerations, the Single Judge analyzed the evidence provided and
concluded that the Player met the conditions of clause 4.1.3 of the Contract. Therefore, the
Single Judge held that the Player is entitled to BGN 200 as bonus.
30. Having stated all the above, and in accordance with the general legal principle of pacta sunt
servanda, the Single Judge decided to award the Claimant BGN 34 525.50.
31. In addition, taking into consideration the Claimant’s request as well as the constant practice
of the Football Tribunal in this regard, the Single Judge decided to award the Claimant
interest at the rate of 5% p.a. on the outstanding amounts as follows:
-
On the amount of BGN 325.50 as from 26 October 2024 until the date of effective
payment;
-
On the amount BGN 700 as from 26 November 2024 until the date of effective
payment;
-
On the amount BGN 500 as from 26 December 2024 until the date of effective payment;
-
On the amount BGN 500 as from 26 January 2025 until the date of effective payment;
-
On the amount BGN 6,000 as from 26 February 2025 until the date of effective
payment;
-
On the amount BGN 500 as from 26 February 2025 until the date of effective payment;
-
On the amount BGN 6,000 net as from 26 March 2025 until the date of effective
payment;
-
On the amount BGN 500 as from 26 March 2025 until the date of effective payment;
pg. 8
REF. FPSD-20387
-
On the amount BGN 6,000 net as from 26 April 2025 until the date of effective payment;
-
On the amount BGN 500 as from 26 April 2025 until the date of effective payment;
-
On the amount BGN 6,000 net as from 26 May 2025 until the date of effective payment;
-
On the amount BGN 500 as from 26 May 2025 until the date of effective payment;
-
On the amount BGN 6,000 net as from 26 June 2025 until the date of effective payment;
-
On the amount BGN 500 as from 26 June 2025 until the date of effective payment.
ii. Art. 12bis of the Regulations
32. The Single Judge then referred to art.12bis par. 2 of the Regulations, which stipulates that
any club found to have delayed a due payment for more than 30 days without a prima facie
contractual basis may be sanctioned, in accordance with art. 12bis par. 4 of the Regulations.
33. To this end, the Single Judge confirmed that the Player put the Club in default of payment
of the amounts sought and granted the club a 10-day deadline to cure such breach of
contract. In this regard, the Single Judge noted that, when the Player sent the notice of
default, the remuneration between October 2024 and April 2025 were due for more than
30 days.
34. Accordingly, the Single Judge also confirmed that the Respondent had delayed a due
payment without a prima facie contractual basis. It followed that the criteria enshrined in
art. 12bis of the Regulations were met in the case at hand.
35. The Single Judge further established that, by virtue of art. 12bis par. 4 of the Regulations
the Single Judge has competence to impose sanctions on the club. On account of the above,
and bearing in mind that this is the third offense by the Respondent within the last two
years, the Single Judge decided to impose a fine of USD 2,000 on the Respondent in
accordance with art. 12bis par. 4 lit. c) of the Regulations.
36. The Single Judge also highlighted that a repeated offence will be considered as an
aggravating circumstance and lead to more severe penalty, in accordance with art. 12bis
par. 6 of the Regulations.
iii. Compliance with monetary decisions
37. Finally, taking into account the applicable Regulations, the Single Judge referred to art. 24
par. 1 and 2 of the Regulations, which stipulate that, with his decision, the pertinent FIFA
deciding body shall also rule on the consequences deriving from the failure of the
pg. 9
REF. FPSD-20387
concerned party to pay the relevant amounts of outstanding remuneration and/or
compensation in due time.
38. In this regard, the Single Judge 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.
39. Therefore, bearing in mind the above, the Single Judge 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.
40. 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.
41. The Single Judge 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.
e. Costs
42. The Single Judge 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 Single Judge decided that no procedural costs were to be
imposed on the parties.
43. Likewise, and for the sake of completeness, the Single Judge recalled the contents of art.
25 par. 8 of the Procedural Rules and decided that no procedural compensation shall be
awarded in these proceedings.
44. Lastly, the Single Judge concluded his deliberations by rejecting any other requests for
relief made by any of the parties.
pg. 10
REF. FPSD-20387
IV. Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
1.
The claim of the Claimant, Thiago Dylan Ceijas, is partially accepted.
2.
The Respondent, Beroe, must pay to the Claimant the following amount(s):
a) BGN 325.50 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 October
2024 until the date of effective payment;
b) BGN 700 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 November
2024 until the date of effective payment;
c) BGN 500 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 December
2024 until the date of effective payment;
d) BGN 500 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 January 2025
until the date of effective payment;
e) BGN 6,000 net as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 February
2025 until the date of effective payment;
f) BGN 500 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 February 2025
until the date of effective payment;
g) BGN 6,000 net as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 March
2025 until the date of effective payment;
h) BGN 500 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 March 2025
until the date of effective payment;
i) BGN 6,000 net as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 April
2025 until the date of effective payment;
j) BGN 500 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 April 2025 until
the date of effective payment;
k) BGN 6,000 net as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 May
2025 until the date of effective payment;
l) BGN 500 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 May 2025 until
the date of effective payment;
m) BGN 6,000 net as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 June
2025 until the date of effective payment;
n) BGN 500 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as from 26 June 2025 until
the date of effective payment.
3.
Any further claims of the Claimant are rejected.
4.
A fine in the amount of USD 2,000 is imposed on the Respondent, which must be paid to
FIFA within 30 days of notification of this decision. Such fine must be paid to the
following bank account with a clear reference to the case FPSD-20387:
UBS Zurich
Account number 230-366677.61N (FIFA Players’ Status)
Clearing number 230
pg. 11
REF. FPSD-20387
IBAN: CH12 0023 0230 3666 7761 N
SWIFT: UBSWCHZH80A
5.
Full payment (including all applicable interest) shall be made to the bank account indicated
in the enclosed Bank Account Registration Form.
6.
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.
7.
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.
8.
This decision is rendered without costs.
For the Football Tribunal:
Emilio García Silvero
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
pg. 12
REF. FPSD-20387
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. 13