The case revolves around an appeal by FC Krasnodar and its coach, Murad Musaev, against a decision by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) regarding Musaev’s eligibility to enroll in the UEFA Pro diploma course. The dispute centered on the interpretation of Article 17 of the UEFA Coaching Convention (UEFA CC), which requires candidates for the Pro diploma to have at least one year of coaching experience as a UEFA A license holder. UEFA’s Jira Panel denied Musaev’s request, arguing that the one-year experience period begins upon graduation from the UEFA A diploma course, not its commencement. Musaev graduated on June 6, 2019, and applied for the Pro course on June 24, 2019, failing to meet the experience requirement.
The appellants contended that the experience period should start from the beginning of the UEFA A course, citing Musaev’s extensive coaching background, including leading FC Krasnodar to notable achievements during the 2018-2019 season. They also referenced Article 40 of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations (CL&FFPR), which allows participation in UEFA competitions if a coach has started the required diploma course. However, the Sole Arbitrator ruled that the CL&FFPR does not override the UEFA CC’s explicit requirements and upheld UEFA’s interpretation. The arbitrator emphasized that the Jira Panel’s decision was not disciplinary but a straightforward application of regulatory criteria.
The case also touched on prior disciplinary actions against Musaev for coaching UEFA matches without the required Pro license, resulting in sanctions that barred him from acting as head coach in UEFA competitions until he met licensing criteria. The appellants argued these sanctions were disproportionate, but the arbitrator noted that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) lacked jurisdiction to review the final and binding UEFA Appeals Body decision. The appellants’ request for document production to prove past exceptions was dismissed as overly broad and irrelevant.
Ultimately, the Sole Arbitrator upheld UEFA’s decision, reinforcing the primacy of the UEFA CC in coaching qualifications and the Jira Panel’s authority to enforce these standards. The ruling underscored the importance of strict compliance with UEFA’s regulatory framework, balancing practical considerations with the need for consistent and fair application of coaching standards. The appeal was dismissed, and the original decision was confirmed, concluding the legal dispute.