The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of the Romanian Boxing Federation (FRB) in its dispute with the International Boxing Association (AIBA) over the suspension of the FRB and its president, Rudel Obreja. The case stemmed from AIBA's decision to suspend the FRB for two years in 2011, citing the federation's failure to elect a new president despite Obreja's prior suspension for organizing a match without head guards and submitting falsified documents. AIBA's disciplinary actions included fines and restrictions on FRB activities, though athletes, coaches, and referees were exempt. The FRB contested these measures, arguing that AIBA lacked legal authority under its statutes to impose such sanctions and that procedural violations had occurred.
The CAS found that AIBA's Executive Committee overstepped its jurisdiction by suspending the FRB, as the 2008 AIBA Statutes only permitted suspensions for non-payment of financial obligations, a power reserved for the AIBA Congress. The 2010 Statutes introduced broader disciplinary measures, but the panel determined that AIBA's December 2010 email demanding new FRB elections lacked legal basis, as it was not a formal decision under Article 13E of the statutes. The panel also noted ambiguities in AIBA's communications and insufficient evidence proving Obreja's continued control over the FRB. Witness testimonies relied on hearsay, and procedural defects in AIBA's internal processes were only remedied during the CAS proceedings.
Ultimately, the CAS upheld the FRB's appeal, declaring AIBA's March and April 2011 decisions legally unfounded and setting them aside. The ruling emphasized the necessity for sports governing bodies to adhere to statutory procedures and evidence standards when imposing disciplinary measures. The case highlights the complexities of international sports governance and the critical role of CAS in resolving disputes between national federations and international bodies. The decision reinforces the principle that disciplinary actions must be grounded in clear legal authority and proper procedural fairness.