The case involves a legal dispute between Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña (RCD La Coruña) and FIFA, adjudicated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The conflict stemmed from RCD La Coruña's failure to pay a transfer fee of €959,596 to Uruguayan club Nacional de Football for player Gustavo Munúa, as mandated by a 2004 agreement. Nacional filed a claim with FIFA's Players' Status Committee (PSC), which ruled in its favor, ordering RCD La Coruña to pay the amount in installments plus interest and costs. When the club failed to comply, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee imposed sanctions, including a fine of CHF 30,000 and a six-point deduction in the domestic league, with potential relegation if the debt remained unpaid. RCD La Coruña appealed to CAS, arguing procedural irregularities, improper notification, and disproportionate sanctions.
The CAS panel addressed several key legal issues. It confirmed that evidence could be supplemented within the appeal deadline under Article R56 of the CAS Code. It also upheld FIFA's communication protocol, which assumes decisions are effectively notified to clubs four days after being sent to their national association. The panel ruled that filing a CAS appeal does not automatically suspend FIFA's disciplinary authority unless the appeal is clearly filed out of time to obstruct proceedings. Additionally, it affirmed FIFA's discretion to impose cumulative sanctions under Article 64 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code to ensure compliance, rejecting claims of double punishment.
RCD La Coruña contested the PSC decision, claiming partial payment and financial difficulties, but failed to provide sufficient evidence. The club also argued it received the PSC decision's grounds late, but the panel found no proof to support this, noting the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had likely forwarded the decision promptly. The CAS dismissed the appeal, emphasizing the PSC decision's finality and the legitimacy of FIFA's disciplinary measures. The panel highlighted the club's lack of good faith in delaying payment and its failure to propose a viable settlement.
The case underscores the enforceability of FIFA's decisions and the limited grounds for challenging disciplinary sanctions before CAS. It also illustrates the procedural complexities in international sports disputes, including communication protocols, evidentiary deadlines, and arbitrator impartiality. The CAS ultimately upheld FIFA's sanctions, reinforcing the importance of timely compliance with financial obligations in football governance. The ruling serves as a precedent for the proportionality of disciplinary measures and the authority of FIFA to ensure adherence to its regulations. The appeal was dismissed, and RCD La Coruña was ordered to bear all associated costs.