The case revolves around a dispute between Apollon Limassol, a Cypriot football club, and UC Sampdoria, an Italian football club, concerning the payment of a transfer fee for a Cameroonian player. The transfer agreement, signed in February 2015 but dated August 2015, stipulated that Sampdoria would pay Apollon €1,000,000 in two installments, along with potential performance-based bonuses. The contract included a clause conditioning the transfer on approval from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for the player's registration. Despite Apollon uploading the necessary documents to FIFA's Transfer Matching System (TMS), Sampdoria failed to do so and later proposed alternative solutions, including transferring the player to another club. Apollon initiated proceedings before FIFA's Players' Status Committee (PSC) in January 2016, claiming unpaid fees. The PSC ruled in Sampdoria's favor, citing the unfulfilled condition of FIGC registration.
Apollon appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that Sampdoria breached the contract by not fulfilling its obligations. The CAS panel, comprising legal experts from the UK, Switzerland, and Italy, reviewed the case, including witness testimonies and additional documents. The central issue was whether Sampdoria could refuse payment despite not executing the transfer, given the absence of contractual provisions allowing such refusal. The panel ruled that the contract was not conditional on the player's registration and that Sampdoria's failure to proceed with the transfer constituted a breach. The CAS ordered Sampdoria to pay the agreed transfer fees of €500,000 each, plus 5% annual interest, but rejected Apollon's claim for reimbursement of the player's salary due to insufficient evidence. The decision emphasized the binding nature of the transfer agreement and the importance of clear contractual terms in football transfers.
The CAS also dismissed Apollon's request for sporting sanctions against Sampdoria and rejected the introduction of late evidence, such as emails allegedly proving the existence of an employment contract, due to procedural violations. The ruling partially upheld Apollon's appeal, overturning the PSC's earlier decision and finalizing Sampdoria's financial obligations. The case underscores the enforceability of transfer agreements under FIFA and CAS regulations and highlights the significance of procedural adherence in arbitration. All other unspecified claims and requests for relief were dismissed, marking a conclusive resolution to the dispute.