"Essential that sports arbitration is not immune to the requirements of EU law" (Neil Robertson)

"In a context where sport has become a major economic and legal issue, it is essential that sports arbitration is not immune to the requirements of European Union law and the fundamental principles of justice," said Neil Robertson, a partner at the law firm Bignon Lebray, on 28/02/2025.

"Should CAS awards be subject to full review by the national courts of EU member states, in order to verify the compatibility of FIFA rules with EU law?" asked Tamara Ćapeta (CRO), Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union, in her Opinion on Case C-600/23 Royal Football Club Seraing on 16/01/2025.

"The debate surrounding the review of CAS awards by national courts illustrates a fundamental dilemma: preserving the autonomy of sporting bodies while guaranteeing compliance with fundamental legal principles. The RFC Seraing case could prove to be a decisive turning point in this debate," added Neil Robertson in an analysis for News Tank Football, of the issues at stake in Tamara Ćapeta's position (which is not binding on the CJEU, whose ruling has not yet been handed down as of…