The case involves a dispute between Mozambican football player Mucuana Martinho Martins and Romanian club SC Sporting Club SA Vaslui over unpaid contractual bonuses and fees. The player signed a contract on 1 February 2012, valid until 30 June 2012, with an option for the club to extend it for another year if notified by 1 June 2012. The contract included a signing fee of EUR 15,000, a monthly salary of EUR 12,000, and performance-based bonuses, such as EUR 1,000 per point earned in Liga 1 matches if the player participated in at least 70% of official games. The club’s internal regulations also stipulated bonuses for achieving a top-five league finish.
In May 2012, the player was released to join the Mozambican national team until 18 June 2012, overlapping with the club’s holiday period ending on 12 June. The player claimed the club did not extend his contract by the deadline and that he played in 76.47% of Liga 1 matches, helping the team finish second, entitling him to EUR 106,000 in total compensation. The club fined him 25% of his contract value for missing team activities after the holiday period, but this sanction was later overturned by the Romanian Professional Football League’s Appeal Committee.
The player demanded EUR 17,288 in unpaid bonuses and fees, which the club denied. He filed a claim with the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC), which ruled in his favor, ordering the club to pay EUR 14,360 plus costs. The case was then brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The sole arbitrator emphasized that contractual terms must reflect the parties’ intentions and noted that a player’s absence may not constitute a breach if no duties were required during that period. The arbitrator ruled the player was entitled to unpaid bonuses under the agreed terms, as he had fulfilled all conditions, including participating in over 70% of matches and contributing to the team’s 31 points.
The CAS determined the club owed the player EUR 106,000 for the season, of which EUR 90,793 had already been paid, leaving an outstanding balance of EUR 15,207. The arbitrator overturned the Appeal Committee’s decision, ordering the club to pay the remaining amount. However, the player’s claim for 5% interest on late payments was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. The ruling highlighted the importance of fulfilling contractual obligations and the role of arbitration in resolving sports disputes. The final decision required the club to pay the player EUR 15,207, rejecting all other claims.