The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued an award on 31 May 2021 in the dispute between Altay SK and Pedro Miguel Pina Eugenio, concerning the termination of the player's employment contract due to unpaid salaries. The case originated when the player terminated his contract with the Turkish club, citing just cause under FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) after repeated unpaid wages. The club contested the termination, leading to proceedings before FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) and later an appeal to CAS. The key legal issues involved the application of Article 14bis RSTP, which allows players to terminate contracts if clubs fail to pay at least two monthly salaries, provided a 15-day deadline is granted for payment. The player had sent a default notice on 17 December 2018, setting a deadline of 1 January 2019, a public holiday. The club argued the termination on 2 January 2019 was premature, but the Sole Arbitrator ruled the 15-day deadline was sufficient, as FIFA’s regulations do not explicitly exclude non-working days. The Arbitrator emphasized the club’s failure to pay or respond to reminders demonstrated bad faith.
The CAS upheld the FIFA DRC’s decision, confirming the player’s right to terminate the contract and awarding him unpaid salaries of TRY 221,500 plus 5% annual interest. Compensation was calculated under Article 17 RSTP, considering the residual value of the terminated contract (TRY 1,152,900) minus earnings from the player’s new contract (TRY 74,208), resulting in mitigated compensation of TRY 1,078,692. The player was also granted additional compensation equivalent to three monthly salaries (TRY 216,168), though the total compensation was capped at the remaining contract value. The club’s appeal was dismissed, and it was ordered to cover the player’s legal expenses. The ruling clarified that deadlines under Article 14bis RSTP are based on calendar days, not business days, and reinforced the importance of clubs fulfilling financial obligations. The case underscores the strict adherence to contractual and regulatory requirements in football employment disputes, with CAS affirming FIFA’s role in protecting players’ rights. The decision serves as a precedent for similar cases involving unpaid salaries and contract terminations in international football.