In a landmark ruling delivered on 1 August 2025 (enclosed), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) significantly questioned the absolute authority traditionally accorded to arbitral awards rendered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) when arbitration is unilaterally imposed by international sports federations. The Court underscored that such CAS decisions must be subjected to comprehensive judicial scrutiny by national courts to ensure their compliance with essential principles and provisions of EU Law. This decision carries profound implications for the European sports arbitration framework.
In a landmark ruling delivered on 1 August 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has sent shockwaves through the world of international sports arbitration by declaring that arbitral awards issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), when unilaterally imposed by organizations such as FIFA, must be subject to rigorous judicial review by national courts within the European Union. This groundbreaking decision in Case C-600/23, involving the Royal Football Club Seraing (RFC Seraing) against FIFA, UEFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (URBSFA), dramatically disrupts the established balance between CAS and national judicial systems.
Detailed Background
The case originated from sanctions imposed by FIFA on RFC Seraing, a Belgian football club, accused...
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