The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a ruling on February 10, 2012, in the case between Olympiakos Volou FC and UEFA, upholding UEFA's decision to exclude the club from the 2011/2012 Europa League due to its former president Achilleas Beos's involvement in match-fixing and illegal betting. The case stemmed from allegations related to a 2010 match between Olympiakos Volou and Ilioupoli, which led to Greek authorities charging Beos and imposing sanctions on the club, including relegation and fines. While the Greek football federation later reduced the penalty to a 10-point deduction, UEFA independently excluded Olympiakos Volou from European competitions and imposed a deferred three-competition ban.
Olympiakos Volou appealed UEFA's decision, arguing that pending criminal appeals should delay sanctions and that players were not complicit. However, the CAS ruled that UEFA could rely on evidence from Greek judicial and sporting authorities to establish the club's involvement in activities undermining match integrity. The tribunal emphasized that sports disciplinary procedures operate independently of legal processes and that clubs bear responsibility for their officials' actions under UEFA regulations. The CAS also rejected the club's request for interim relief to participate in a match against Paris Saint-Germain, finding no grounds for suspension.
The club further sought reconsideration based on new evidence from the Hellenic Football Federation, but UEFA and the CAS dismissed these claims, stating they did not constitute significant new facts. During proceedings, Olympiakos Volou withdrew a €12 million compensation claim after the CAS clarified it fell outside the scope of the appeal. The CAS affirmed its jurisdiction under UEFA's statutes and the Europa League regulations, which designate it as the exclusive appellate body for such disputes.
The ruling reinforced UEFA's authority to exclude clubs involved in misconduct to protect competition integrity, even without direct player involvement. The CAS highlighted that swift action was necessary to maintain public trust in sports, particularly in cases of serious violations like match-fixing. It also noted that UEFA could rely on decisions from national sports bodies without conducting separate investigations. The tribunal dismissed comparisons to other cases, such as Fenerbahçe, due to differing contexts. Ultimately, the CAS upheld UEFA's sanctions, concluding that Olympiakos Volou's appeal lacked merit and that the club's exclusion was justified under UEFA's disciplinary framework. The decision underscored the broader responsibility of clubs for their officials' behavior and the importance of upholding integrity in football.