CAS decides in favour of UEFA in Sion case

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) published at 15.00CET today its decision on the merits of the case UEFA vs FC Sion, following the extensive hearing of 24 November 2011.

In its ruling the CAS states: "The request [filed by UEFA] to confirm that OLA [Olympique des Alpes SA] is not entitled to be reintegrated in the UEFA Europa League 2011/2012 is admissible and upheld."

In addition, the ruling states that "the provisional measures ordered by the Tribunal Cantonal of Vaud (Cour Civile) on 5 October 2011 shall be lifted" and that "OLA is ordered to pay CHF 40,000 (forty thousand Swiss francs) to UEFA as contribution towards its legal and other costs incurred in connection with this arbitration".

By its decision, the CAS has confirmed that UEFA was right in enforcing the FIFA regulations and that the UEFA disciplinary bodies were right in declaring the games of FC Sion in the UEFA Europa League lost by forfeit.

The CAS further lifted all provisional measures decided by the Tribunal Cantonal de Vaud on 5 October 2011. These measures were taken pending a decision on the merits of the case.

While UEFA had prepared various scenarios of reintegration, the CAS decision means that FC Sion will not be reinstated in the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League.

Respect of the rules, which are the same for all clubs participating in European competitions, is paramount to the fairness of football. This respect of the rules has to be applied at all levels: players, clubs, leagues and in all competitions, in order to preserve what football stands for.

The full arbitral award and the CAS press release can be found here.