The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a ruling on August 25, 2015, in a dispute involving the Bulgarian Sport Shooting Federation (BSSF), the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF), and the Bulgarian Shooting Union (BSU). The case centered on the ISSF's decision to expel the BSSF and admit the BSU as the sole governing body for shooting sports in Bulgaria. The BSSF had been expelled by the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) due to allegations of financial misconduct, which led the ISSF to revoke its membership in November 2013. The BSSF challenged this decision, arguing that its expulsion was unlawful and that pending appeals in Bulgarian courts should influence the CAS proceedings.
The CAS panel, composed of arbitrators Hans Nater, Ivaylo Dermendjiev, and Walter Seitz, examined the case under the ISSF Constitution and applicable national law. The panel ruled that recognition by a National Olympic Committee is a fundamental requirement for ISSF membership. While losing BOC membership does not automatically terminate ISSF membership, it provides valid grounds for expulsion if due process is followed. The panel found that the ISSF had acted lawfully, as the BSSF had been given the opportunity to present its case, and no objections were raised regarding the voting process at the ISSF General Assembly.
The BSSF also argued that its right to be heard was violated during the expulsion proceedings, claiming the General Assembly did not fully consider its appeal and that the voting process was flawed. However, the panel found no procedural violations, noting that the BSSF had the chance to present its case and that the overwhelming majority vote in favor of expulsion rendered any minor defects irrelevant. The panel further clarified that pending Bulgarian court proceedings would not affect the CAS ruling, as the arbitration had to be based on facts established at the time of the award.
Regarding the admission of the BSU, the panel confirmed that it met all membership requirements under the ISSF Constitution and was validly admitted. The BSSF's argument that the ISSF should have awaited the outcome of Bulgarian court proceedings before admitting the BSU was dismissed, as the CAS had jurisdiction to rule independently of national court decisions.
Ultimately, the CAS dismissed the BSSF's appeal, upholding the ISSF's decisions to expel the BSSF and admit the BSU. The ruling emphasized the importance of procedural fairness and the hierarchical relationship between national and international sports governance structures. It also affirmed the autonomy of sports governing bodies in enforcing membership criteria, provided they adhere to their constitutional and legal frameworks. The case underscores the limited influence of national court proceedings on international sports arbitration and the necessity for national federations to maintain compliance with international membership requirements. The panel noted that if the BSSF were later reinstated by the BOC, it could reapply for ISSF membership under the federation's regulations.