The case revolves around a contractual dispute between Al Fujairah Sports Club and Hassan Yebda, a professional football player, which was adjudicated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The conflict stemmed from a contract signed in August 2014, which included provisions for salary, bonuses, and potential extensions. An appendix to the contract, signed later, outlined additional terms, including a possible extension contingent on the club's performance and the player's offers from other teams. The club failed to register Yebda, preventing him from playing, which was ruled a breach of his fundamental rights. The FIFA Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) initially awarded Yebda over EUR 1.5 million in unpaid remuneration and nearly EUR 1 million for breach of contract, plus interest. The club appealed to CAS, arguing against the admissibility of counterclaims, but the sole arbitrator, Michael Beloff QC, upheld the DRC's decision, emphasizing that counterclaims are inadmissible in CAS appeal proceedings. The arbitrator also clarified that the duty to mitigate losses arises only after contract termination, not before, and found the club liable for failing to fulfill its contractual obligations. The club's refusal to register Yebda was deemed a breach, and the player was not obligated to mitigate losses prior to termination. The case also involved disputes over the validity of the appendix to the contract, with the club claiming it required board approval, which was never granted, while the player argued it was binding. The arbitrator found the appendix was signed without proper authorization, dismissing the player's claims. However, in a subsequent ruling, the arbitrator concluded that the club's CEO had the authority to bind the club, upholding the appendix's validity and finding the club liable for breaching its obligations. The club's actions, including withholding payments and deregistering the player, were deemed unjustified and designed to force him out. The arbitrator rejected the club's argument that the player failed to mitigate losses, noting FIFA regulations restricted him from signing with another club within six months of termination. The player eventually joined FC Os Belenenses at a lower salary, but the arbitrator found this did not constitute a failure to mitigate. The CAS ultimately dismissed the club's appeal, upholding the DRC's decision and confirming the club's breach of contract. The case underscores the importance of contractual adherence and the protection of players' rights in professional football, highlighting the legal mechanisms available for resolving such disputes. The final ruling, issued on August 2, 2017, reaffirmed the DRC's decision and dismissed all other claims by the club.