FIFA Threatens to Release Athlete from Club Pursuing Legal Action

02/19/2014 - 09h26

Clubs that challenge the common decisions of athletic tribunals in court run the risk of losing the "bond" of their athletes.

This is one of the measures being considered by the Legal Committee of FIFA, who are trying to toughen sanctions for teams that benefit from legal action in common courts.

Since December, Portuguesa, Fluminense and Flamengo have waged disputes in regular courts for participating in the next Brazilian Championship League.

The matter was discussed at a meeting at the headquarters of the organization in Zurich. The committee is led by Ángel Maria Villar of Spain, one of its most influential football chiefs.

"FIFA is concerned because one of the basic and fundamental principles of its statute, Article 68 [which prohibits teams resources in the Common Court] has been wrongfully breached by clubs in some countries," said the legal head of CBF, Carlos Eugênio Lopes.

Other measures being considered to punish clubs who seek legal action in regular courts are banning teams from participating in international competitions and ordering payment for the training of athletes in the case of a transfer.

Currently, the global organization allows only criminal and labor matters to be dealt with outside the sports related tribunals.

"If we continue like this, no football competition will end and will be decided in the courts. Therefore, FIFA will toughen to safeguard their statute," added Lopes.

Earlier this month, the CBF had already decided that clubs contesting decisions in regular courts by the STJD (Superior Court of Sports Justice) will not receive shares of the televising of the league.

Portuguesa is still trying to guarantee a place in the firts division of the Brazilian Championship League for 2014 with the help of supporters that have filed suits in common courts.

On day 6, the CBF could revoke the last court ruling that guaranteed the participation of Lusa in the first division (Série A).

The Canindé team finished the competition in 12th place, but was demoted after a trial in the Superior Tribunal of Sports Justice for having illegally scaled attacker Héverton in the last round against Grêmio.

With the punishment, Portuguesa fell to 17th place.

Translated by STEVE HUGHES

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	Ariel Subirá-16.dez.2013/Futura Press/Folhapress
	With the punishment, Portuguesa fell to 17th place