The case involves a dispute between Barcelona Sporting Club (Barcelona) and Club Atlético Boca Juniors (Boca) over a failed transfer agreement for a player. On July 13, 2012, the clubs agreed that Barcelona would pay Boca USD 1,004,000 in four installments for the player's transfer, but Barcelona failed to make any payments. Boca filed a claim with FIFA's Players' Status Committee (PSC), which ruled in Boca's favor on December 10, 2013, ordering Barcelona to pay the outstanding amount plus interest. Barcelona appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on April 21, 2014. The proceedings initially included FIFA as a respondent, but it was later excluded, and the language shifted from Spanish to English. A hearing was held on October 29, 2014, in Buenos Aires after initial disagreements between the parties about its necessity. The CAS panel, composed of arbitrators from Mexico, the United States, and Argentina, reviewed the case de novo, meaning it could independently assess the facts and law without being bound by prior procedural issues.
Barcelona's appeal focused on procedural deficiencies, arguing that Boca's lawyers lacked proper authority to file the claim, that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) President had no jurisdiction, and that the claim was improperly submitted. Boca countered that its lawyers were duly authorized, the PSC had accepted the claim without objection, and the filing complied with FIFA rules. Barcelona sought to annul the PSC's decision and have Boca cover legal costs, while Boca requested confirmation of the PSC's ruling and for Barcelona to bear all costs. The CAS determined that FIFA Regulations and Swiss law applied, as the parties had no prior agreement on governing law. The panel found that Boca's power of attorney explicitly authorized its lawyers to represent the club before FIFA's PSC, Dispute Resolution Chamber, and CAS, rendering Barcelona's objections unfounded. Additionally, the panel noted that Barcelona had not raised these issues during earlier proceedings, implying tacit acceptance of the attorneys' authority.
The CAS dismissed Barcelona's appeal, upholding the PSC's decision. The panel emphasized that procedural defects in federation proceedings are cured by CAS arbitration if the substantive decision is correct. Even if there had been procedural irregularities, they would not justify overturning the ruling unless they materially affected the outcome. The decision reinforces the importance of clear legal documentation and the burden of proof on the party challenging authorization. It also highlights the CAS's role in ensuring fair review, prioritizing substantive correctness over technical procedural errors. The case underscores the significance of contractual obligations in football transfers and the procedural steps for resolving disputes through FIFA and CAS. The final award was issued on December 18, 2014, concluding the dispute in Boca's favor.