Labour Disputes
Texto da decisão
REF. FPSD-20849
Decision of the
Dispute Resolution Chamber
passed on 20 November 2025
regarding an employment-related dispute concerning the player
Chukvuma Emmanuel Akabueze
COMPOSITION:
Lívia SILVA KÄGI (Brazil & Switzerland), Deputy Chairwoman
Dana MOHAMED AL-NOAIMI (Qatar), Member
Peter LUKASEK (Slovakia), Member
CLAIMANT:
Chukvuma Emmanuel Akabueze, Nigeria
Represented by Çağlar Akoğlu
RESPONDENT:
Sanliurfaspor, Türkiye
Represented by Korhan Armağan
pg. 2
REF. FPSD-20849
I. Facts of the case
1.
On 14 January 2025, the Turkish club, Sanliurfaspor (hereinafter: the Club or the Respondent)
signed an employment offer (hereinafter: the Offer) addressed to the Nigerian player,
Chukvuma Emmanuel Akabueze (hereinafter: the Player or the Claimant). The Offer stated
the following (quoted verbatim):
“We the Club Sanliurfaspor SK/Turkey would like to declare our interest in the professional
soccer player Chukwuma Akabueze BENTLEY, Date of birth (age): 06.05.1989 (35). Without
club:
Sanliurfaspor offer for the period 20.01.2025 - 31.05.2025
• 8.000,-€ Montly Salary
• 5.400,-€ Bonus for each Match starter Squad (18) 18 x 300,-€
• 5.000,-€ for 7 Goal/Assist
• 5.000,-€ Playoff
• 5.000,-€ Promotion Süperlig
In addition, an option will be agreed for the 2025-2026 season, which will come into force if
the conditions for this are met.
The Club pay also 1.000,-€ per month for Appartement, Car in addition 1x aroundticket. Also
a Singlroom in the Club facilities whith Food.
In Addition, we grant an extension option, the details of which are still being discussed.
All other questions of detail are carried out by the club or a representative of the club.
This offer is non-binding and is valid until January 20, 2025.”
2.
On 20 January 2025, the Player signed an employment agreement (hereinafter: the
Employment Agreement) which contained the following financial conditions (quoted
verbatim):
“For 2024/2025 Football Season
• Net 42,000.-EUR (forty thousand euros) in total will be paid as monthly salary by
5 equal installments between February 2025 – June 2025 as net 8,000 EUR per
month.
Bonus Payments
• In the event that the Club is promoted to the Super League, the Club shall pay the
Player 5,000.-EUR (five thousand euros) Super League promotion bonus.
• In the event that the Club qualifies for the play-offs in the 2024/2025 season, the
Club shall pay 5,000.-EUR (five thousand euros) bonus to the Player.
pg. 3
REF. FPSD-20849
•
•
•
•
Net 5,000.-EUR bonus will be paid if the Player contributes (scores or assists) 7
goals in official league matches (excluding play-offs, cup etc. other competitions)
in the 2024/2025 football season.
The player will receive a bonus of 300.-EUR (three hundred euros) for each match
in which he is in the first 11 in official league matches (excluding play-offs, cup etc.
other competitions) in the 2024/2025 football season.
Car & Accommodation in addition 1x aroundticket: 5,000.-EUR (five thousand
euros) net will be paid in five equal installments, 1,000.-EUR net monthly for car,
accommodation and 1x aroundticket expenses.
The Club will also provide a single room for the Player and dinner at the Club
facilities.
All the bonus payments agreed in this Agreement will be calculated according to the ratio (i.e.
according to the pro-rata principle) to be found by taking into account the time played by the
Player in the official league competitions in the relevant season, and the Player will be entitled
to the said bonus in proportion to the duration of the competitions in which he took part.
All payments indicated in this Agreement are to be considered as “Net” payments.
This contract will be valid and binding if the player signs the TFF Standard Player’s Contract
and the aforementioned contract is registered with the Turkish Football Federation.”
3.
According to art. 3 of the Employment Agreement, it “governs and consists of the matters
which are included and/or not included in the Turkish Football Federation (‘TFF’) Standard
Contract prepared and signed/to be signed between the parties.
The Parties hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agree and undertake that they will duly
prepare and sign the Standard Contract in Turkey in accordance with the terms set out in this
Agreement and submit it to the TFF for the registration in the 2024/2025 football season.”
4.
On 24 January 2025, the Club made a payment of EUR 8,000 to the Player.
5.
On 29 January 2025, the parties signed an employment contract (hereinafter: the Contract)
valid as from 29 January 2025 until 30 June 2025.
6.
According to clause 3 of the Contract, the Player was entitled to the net monthly salary of
“Minimum wage”
7.
On 27 March 2025, the Club made a payment of EUR 7,500 to the Player.
8.
On 10 May 2025, the Player purchased a flight ticket to Lagos, Nigeria for 14 May 2025 of
the total amount of TYR 25,902.
pg. 4
REF. FPSD-20849
9.
On 15 July 2025, the Player sent a default notice to the Club stating the following (quoted
verbatim):
“As you know, my client and your club concluded a professional football player contract
("Contract") beginning on 29 January 2025 and expiring on 30 June 2025, and also an
additional employment agreement to be valid for the second half of the 2024/2025 football
season.
According to the contract and agreement, your Club still owes my client 34,600 Euros and
25,000 Turkish Lira (TL).
Despite the oral attempts of my client, your Club did not pay the mentioned amounts.
We would like to remind you Art. 12bis/2 of the RTSP, which is as follows:
"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 paragraph 4 below."
This is to inform you that we will file a claim before the FIFA Football Tribunal to get the unpaid
amounts and ask for sporting sanctions if the due amount (34,600 Euros + 25,000 TL) is not
paid fully within 10 days”.
10. On 1 September 2025, the Player sent a new default notice to the Club, stating the following
(quoted verbatim):
“As you know, my client and your club concluded a professional football player contract
(“Contract”) beginning on 29 January 2025 and expiring on 30 June 2025 and also an
additional employment agreement to be valid for second half of the 2024/2025 football
season.
According to the contract and agreement, your Club still owes my client 34.600-. Euro and
25.000 TL. Despite the oral attempts of my client and our first notice dated 15 July 2025, your
Club did not pay the debt but informed the Player that your Club will pay the mentioned
amount on 15 August 2025.
Unfortunately your Club did not pay the mentioned amounts as you promised. On the other
hand, your Club has never given the signed additional employment agreement to the Player.
In our previous notice, we reminded you Art. 12bis/2 of the RSTP which is as follows: “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 paragraph 4 below.”
This is to inform you that, we will file a claim before FIFA Football Tribunal to get the unpaid
amounts and ask for sporting sanctions if the due amount (34.600-. Euro + 25.000-. TL) will
not be paid FULLY and the signed employment agreement not be sent to the Player in 3 days”.
pg. 5
REF. FPSD-20849
II. Proceedings before FIFA
11. On 15 September 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
12. The Player lodged the present claim with FIFA for outstanding payments.
13. The Player alleged that the Contract and the Employment Agreement are both valid and
binding even if the Club never gave a signed copy of the Employment Agreement to the
Player.
14. The Player recalled the Football Tribunal and CAS’s jurisprudence according to which, the
validity of an employment agreement does not depend on the signature.
15. The Player argued that there is enough evidence to establish that the Employment
Agreement was valid and binding as the Club sent him an official offer before both the
Employment Agreement and the Contract were signed which established the same amount
as the Employment Agreement.
16. He further alleged that the Club only paid EUR 15,500 and therefore EUR 34,600 remained
outstanding and provided the following breakdown:
-
EUR 24,500 as salaries: EUR 500 as the balance of the March salary and EUR 8,000
each for the salaries from April to June 2025;
-
EUR 5,000 for the car and accommodation allowance for the months from February
to June 2025;
-
EUR 5,100 for match bonuses
-
TYR 25,902 for the flight ticket.
17. Regarding the flight ticket, the Player explained that he had to pay for his own flight to
return to Nigeria and provided a copy of the relevant receipt.
18. In view of the above, the Player requested the following relief (quoted verbatim):
pg. 6
REF. FPSD-20849
“1. The Claimant would like to request you to make a decision that the Respondent has to pay
the overdue amount of 34.600-. Euro with its interest until the actual payment date as
mentioned above, as the unpaid and due amount according to the agreement.
2. The Claimant secondly would like to request you to make a decision that the Respondent
has to pay the amount of 25.902-. TL as the flight ticket expenses with its interest from
10.05.2025 until the effective payment date.
3. The Claimant thirdly would like to request you to impose sanctions to the Respondent
according to the Art. 12bis/2 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
4. In consideration of the fact that the Respondent caused the Claimant to file the case herein,
we would like to request your honorable chamber to make a decision that the judicial costs
and the attorneyship fees that the Claimant is faced with, shall be paid by the Respondent.
b. Reply of the Respondent
19. In its reply, the Club alleged that it never accepted the Employment Agreement and has
never signed it. Therefore, according to the Club, the Employment Agreement “was
unilaterally drafted by or on behalf of the Claimant without the consent, signature or formal
approval of the Respondent, in the absence of mutual agreement and execution such a
document can’t create any contractual obligations for the Club. Therefore, it is crystal clear that
the document provided by the Claimant is non-binding from Club’s party.”
20. In addition, the Club claimed that the payments made by the Club to the Player cannot be
considered as an acknowledgement or acceptance of the Employment Agreement.
21. Regarding the amounts requested, the Club contended that it has fully complied with its
financial obligations and provided the following proof of payments:
-
TRY 30,000 paid on 22 January 2025 as “Partial salary payment and payment for the
accommodation.”
EUR 8,000 paid on 23 January 2025 as “Salary”
TRY 75,000 paid on 24 January 2025 as “Salary”
EUR 7,500 paid on 23 March 2025 paid as “Salary.”
22. The Club clarified that these amounts do not correspond to the amounts mentioned in the
Employment Agreement but rather to the “Minimum wage” agreed upon in the Contract.
23. Regarding the accommodation allowance, the Club alleged that as stated in the Contract,
the Player stayed at the Club’s facilities and therefore the Club should not be responsible
to pay an accommodation allowance.
pg. 7
REF. FPSD-20849
24. The Club also requested, that in case the Dispute Resolution Chamber accepted the Player’s
claims, that the interest should start running as of the date that the claim was lodged and
not as of each due date.
25. In view of all the above, the Club requested the following relief (quoted verbatim):
-
“That all claims of the Claimant be dismissed in their entirety.
In the event that the Tribunal reaches a contrary conclusion, deduct the Payments made
by the Club from the Player’s earnings;
In any case we respectfully also request that the claim be dismissed at least in respect of
the interest commencement dates and rule that the interest shall be started from the
date of filling of the claim.”
c. Claimant’s final comments
26. On 8 October 2025, the FIFA general secretariat requested the Player’s final comments
regarding the proof of payments presented by the Club.
27. The Player clarified that the proof of payments submitted by the Club corresponded to the
following payments:
-
TYR 30,000 paid on 22 January 2025;
EUR 8,000 paid on 23 January 2025;
TYR 75,000 paid on 24 January 2025;
EUR 7,500 paid on 26 March 2025.
28. The Player stated that the payments made in Euros were disclosed in his statement of claim
and reiterated that they were made in accordance with the Employment Agreement.
29. Regarding the payment of TYR 30,000 made on 22 January 2025, the Player alleged that this
payment corresponded to a transportation / shipping fee that was made when the Player
was still in Cyprus so he could ship his belongings to Turkey.
30. Regarding the payment of TYR 75,000 made on 24 January 2025, the Player alleged that this
amount was his agent’s commission and was made to the Player’s account as the agent
“was not officially representing the player or the club.” He further alleged that he gave this
amount to a “foreign agent” and the rest to a Turkish one.
pg. 8
REF. FPSD-20849
III. Considerations of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
a. Competence and applicable legal framework
31. 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 15 September 2025 and submitted for
decision on 20 November 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.
32. 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 Nigerian player and a Turkish club.
33. 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
34. 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
35. 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-20849
i. Main legal discussion and considerations
36. The Chamber then moved to the substance of the matter and took note of the fact that the
parties strongly dispute the validity of the Employment Agreement and the amounts that
remain outstanding from their employment relationship.
37. In this context, the Chamber acknowledged that its task was to determine (i) whether the
Offer and the Employment Agreement constituted a valid and binding contract, (ii) whether
the Contract superseded the Employment Agreement, (iii) which salary shall be taken into
account in order to determine the outstanding amount, and finally (iv) which amounts
remain outstanding.
38. Before entering into the analysis of the above questions, the Chamber wished to reiterate
the following undisputed facts:
-
The Club made the Offer to the Player which contained the same financial conditions
as the Employment Agreement and stated that the Offer is valid until 20 January
2025;
-
On 20 January 2025, the Player signed the Employment Agreement which stated that
“this Contract will be valid and binding if the Player signed the TFF Standard Player’s
Contract and the aforementioned contract is registered with the Turkish Football
Federation.”
-
On 22 January 2025, the Club made a payment of TYR 30,000 as payment for the
accommodation
-
On 23 January 2025, the Club made a payment of EUR 8,000 as salary
-
On 24 January 2024, the Club made a payment of TYR 75,000 as salary
-
On 29 January 2025, the parties signed the Contract which appears as the TFF
standard contract and established a minimum wage as salary.
-
On 26 March 2025, the Club made a payment of EUR 7,500 as salary.
39. Regarding the first question, the DRC recalled that the established jurisprudence of the
Football Tribunal dictates that, in order for an employment contract to be considered valid
and binding, in addition to the consent of the employer and the employee, it must contain
the essential elements (essentialia negotii) of an employment contract, i.e. the parties to the
contract and their function, the duration of the employment relationship and the
remuneration to be paid by the employer to the employee.
pg. 10
REF. FPSD-20849
40. In this regard, the Chamber considered that the essential elements have been clearly
established in the Offer which has been signed by the Club and implicitly accepted by the
Player. Even though the Player did not provide evidence of having accepted the Offer, the
mere fact that he later signed the Employment Agreement which established the same
financial conditions as the Offer and the Contract demonstrates that the Player did accept
the Offer.
41. Regarding the Employment Agreement, the Chamber also deemed that it establishes the
essential elements (essentialia negotii) of an employment contract. The Club having signed
the Offer, it unequivocally manifested its intention to be bound by its terms which were
confirmed by the Employment Agreement that was signed by the Player. Therefore, both
parties manifested their intention to be bound to the same employment conditions, the
Club by signing the Offer and the Player by signing the Employment Agreement.
42. The Chamber considered that this is further confirmed by the payments of EUR 8,000 and
EUR 7,500 as salaries that were made after the signature of the Employment Agreement.
43. Consequently, the Chamber considered that the Employment Agreement was valid and
binding.
44. Having established the above, the Chamber went into the analysis of whether the Contract
that was signed 9 days after the Employment Agreement superseded it.
45. The Chamber observed that based on clause 3 and 6 of the Employment Agreement, the
Contract and the Employment Agreement were 2 complementary documents, and the
former did not replace the latter.
46. In particular, the Chamber noted that clause 6 of the Employment Agreement established
that said agreement “will be valid and binding if the player signed the TFF Standard Player’s
Contract and the aforementioned contract is registered with the Turkish Football Federation.” In
addition, clause 3 stated that it “governs and consists of the matters which are included and/or
not included in the Turkish Football Federation (‘TFF’) Standard Contract prepared and signed/to
be signed between the parties. The Parties hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agree and
undertake that they will duly prepare and sign the Standard Contract in Turkey in accordance
with the terms set out in this Agreement and submit it to the TFF for the registration in the
2024/2025 football season.”
47. Consequently, the Chamber concluded that the Contract and the Employment Agreement
were complementary.
48. In continuation, the Chamber assessed which amount has to be taken into account in order
to determine the outstanding amount.
pg. 11
REF. FPSD-20849
49. In this regard, the Chamber deemed that in order to determine which amount shall be
considered in order to calculate the outstanding amount, the following facts have to be
taken into account:
-
The Employment Agreement explicitly stated that it governs the matters included
or not included in the Contract;
-
The Club made a payment of EUR 8,000 indicated as salary after the signature of
the Employment Contract but before the signature of the Contract; and
-
The Club made a payment of EUR 7,500 as salary in March.
50. In view of the above, the Chamber considered that the wording of the Employment
Agreement was clear in the sense that it indicated that the terms of this agreement shall
govern the employment relationship of the parties.
51. In addition, the Chamber considered that the payments of EUR 8,000 and EUR 7,500 as
salaries constitute an acknowledgment of debt by the Club, further indicating that the
salary agreed between the parties was EUR 8,000 and not the minimum wage established
in the Contract.
52. Consequently, the Player is also entitled to the bonuses and allowances as established in
the Employment Agreement.
53. Having established the above, the Chamber turned its attention to the question of the
consequences and the determination of the outstanding salaries.
54. The Chamber reiterated that the Player requested the following amounts (quoted
verbatim):
“As a result of all the facts stated herein, The Claimant hereby asks FIFA to condemn the
Respondent to pay:
• 24.500.- Euro as the unpaid and overdue salary payments,
• 5.000.- Euro as the car and accommodation expenses,
• 5.100.- Euro as match bonuses,
• 25.902.- TL as flight ticket.
Also, an interest of 5% per annum, must be applied to the mentioned amounts as follows:
•
•
•
•
For 500.- Euro from 31.03.2025 (last day for March salary payment),
For 8.000.- Euro from 30.04.2025 (last day for April salary payment),
For 8.000.- Euro from 31.05.2025 (last day for May salary payment),
For 8.000.- Euro from 30.06.2025 (last day for June salary payment),
pg. 12
REF. FPSD-20849
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
For 1.000.- Euro from 28.02.2025 (last day for February car and accommodation
expenses),
For 1.000.- Euro from 31.03.2025 (last day for March car and accommodation
expenses),
For 1.000.- Euro from 30.04.2025 (last day for April car and accommodation
expenses),
For 1.000.- Euro from 31.05.2025 (last day for May car and accommodation
expenses),
For 1.000.- Euro from 30.06.2025 (last day for June car and accommodation
expenses),
For 5.100.- Euro from 30.06.2025 (last day of the season for match bonuses),
For 25.902.- TL from 10.05.2025 (issue date of the flight ticket).”
55. The Chamber noted that the club disputed having any outstanding amounts towards the
Player and submitted proof of payments in this regard.
56. In particular, the Chamber observed that the club paid the following amounts:
-
TYR 30,000 on 22 January 2025 (approx. EUR 810 when the payment was made);
EUR 8,000 on 23 January 2025;
TYR 75,000 on 24 January 2025 (approx. EUR 2,003 when the payment was made);
EUR 7,500 on 26 March 2025.
57. The Chamber took note of the fact that the Player acknowledged having received all the
payments above, however regarding the payments made in TYR he alleged that they do
not correspond to payments that have been contractually agreed. However, we consider
that these allegations cannot be accepted as the payments were made after the
Employment Agreement was signed and the Player did not provide any evidence
demonstrating as to what these payments referred to.
58. In view of the above, the Chamber decided to deduct the amounts already paid from total
outstanding amounts. In particular, the Chamber observed that the total salary that the
Player was entitled to receive under the Employment Agreement corresponded to net EUR
40,000. The Player received EUR 18,313 and therefore the outstanding amount is EUR
21,686. In addition, the Player was entitled to a total amount of EUR 5,000 net as
accommodation allowance that remains outstanding.
59. Furthermore, the Chamber observed that the Player requested bonuses in the amount of
EUR 5,100 and provided the relevant supporting documentation indicating that they were
triggered. In addition, the Club did not dispute that the bonuses have been triggered, as
the Club stated that in case the claims of the Player are accepted, it only disputes the
interest requested.
pg. 13
REF. FPSD-20849
60. Finally, the Player provided the receipt of the flight ticket he purchased of the amount of
TYR 25,902 on 10 May 2025 to return to Nigeria. Therefore, the Chamber decided to award
this amount as reimbursement for the flight ticket as agreed upon in clause 6 of the
Employment Agreement.
61. In view of all the above, the Chamber concluded that the outstanding amounts correspond
to EUR 31,786 for outstanding salaries and bonuses as well as to TYR 25,902 as
reimbursement for the flight ticket.
62. 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 EUR 8,686 as from 1 May 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
-
5% interest over the amount of EUR 9,000 as from 1 June 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
-
5% interest over the amount of EUR 9,000 as from 1 July 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
-
5% interest over the amount of EUR 5,100 as from 1 July 2025 until the date of
effective payment;
-
5% interest over the amount of TYR 25,902 as from 11 May 2025 until the date of
effective payment.
ii. Art. 12bis of the Regulations
63. The Chamber 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.
64. To this end, the Chamber confirmed that the Claimant put the Respondent in default of
payment of the amounts sought, which had fallen due for more than 30 days, and granted
the Respondent with at least 10 days to cure such breach of contract.
65. Accordingly, the Chamber 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.
pg. 14
REF. FPSD-20849
66. The Chamber further established that, by virtue of art. 12bis par. 4 of the Regulations the
Chamber 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 Chamber decided to impose a fine of USD 2,000 on the Respondent in accordance with
art. 12bis par. 4 lit. c) of the Regulations.
67. The Chamber 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
68. 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.
69. 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.
70. 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.
71. 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.
72. 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
73. 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,
pg. 15
REF. FPSD-20849
or match agent”. Accordingly, the Chamber decided that no procedural costs were to be
imposed on the parties.
74. 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.
75. Lastly, the DRC concluded its deliberations by rejecting any other requests for relief made
by any of the parties.
pg. 16
REF. FPSD-20849
IV. Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
1.
The claim of the Claimant, Chukvuma Emmanuel Akabueze, is partially accepted.
2.
The Respondent, Sanliurfaspor, must pay the Claimant the following amounts:
- EUR 31,786 and TYR 25,902 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as
follows:
-
5% interest over the amount of EUR 8,686 as from 1 May 2025 until the date of effective
payment;
5% interest over the amount of EUR 9,000 as from 1 June 2025 until the date of effective
payment;
5% interest over the amount of EUR 9,000 as from 1 July 2025 until the date of effective
payment;
5% interest over the amount of EUR 5,100 as from 1 July 2025 until the date of effective
payment; and
5% interest over the amount of TYR 25,902 as from 11 May 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-20849:
UBS Zurich
Account number 230-366677.61N (FIFA Players’ Status)
Clearing number 230
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.
pg. 17
REF. FPSD-20849
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. 18
REF. FPSD-20849
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