Introduction
The CAS & Football Annual Report 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of the year’s arbitration activities in global football. Covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2024, the report highlights the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) role in handling disputes involving FIFA, football clubs, players, coaches, and agents. The report presents key case statistics, decision trends, and procedural efficiency, with a special focus on appeals against FIFA rulings, football-related cases outside FIFA, and landmark legal decisions shaping the sport. Additionally, it examines the impact of the Olympic Games on CAS proceedings, as 2024 marked the fi rst time football-related cases were heard by the CAS Ad Hoc Division during the Olympics.
1. Volume and Trends in Appeals
Total Appeals and FIFA’s Involvement
In 2024, CAS registered 326 appeals against FIFA decisions, a 24% decrease from 2023, reflecting a drop in contentious cases. Of these appeals, 117 (36%) involved FIFA directly, while 209 (64%) did not require FIFA’s involvement (either because FIFA was not a respondent or successfully withdrew). FIFA issued over 33,000 decisions in 2024, meaning only 1% of these decisions were appealed to CAS.
Appeal Outcomes
78 CAS rulings were issued on the merits of cases involving FIFA, with the following outcomes: 58 cases (74%) upheld FIFA’s original decision, 15 cases (19%) annulled FIFA’s decision or referred it back to a FIFA body for reassessment, and 5 cases (7%) were deemed inadmissible.
Global CAS Caseload
CAS registered a total of 916 cases across all sports in 2024, a 2.8% decrease from 2023. Football-related cases made up 72% of CAS’s total caseload (657 cases), a slight decline from 82% in 2023. Among football-related cases, 476 (72%) were appeal procedures challenging decisions by FIFA, confederations, or national federations, while 181 (28%) were fi rst-instance arbitration cases.
2. Notable Cases and Legal Trends
FIFA Tribunal and Disciplinary Cases
The FIFA Football Tribunal (PSC & DRC) remained the most frequent subject of appeals in 2024, handling 74 cases (63%) of FIFA-related CAS disputes. Significant cases included employment-related disputes (e.g., termination without just cause, overdue payables), disciplinary sanctions, including doping violations, breaches of fi nancial fair play, and fan behavior incidents, and transfer-related issues, such as disputes over training compensation and solidarity contributions.
First Football-Related CAS Cases at the Olympics
For the first time, the CAS Ad Hoc Division heard three football-related disputes at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Key cases included: Israel FA & Roy Revivo v. FIFA, addressing the eligibility of a suspended player during the tournament; Canada Soccer v. FIFA & Others, contesting a six-point deduction for breaching fair play regulations due to alleged spying; Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazil) v. FIFA, challenging a two-match suspension for a red card incident. These cases highlight CAS’s growing role in Olympic football governance.
Swiss Federal Tribunal Appeals
126 appeals were fi led before the Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT) against CAS football rulings in 2024. However, only a small number were overturned, reinforcing CAS’s legal authority and credibility.
3. CAS Procedural Effi ciency and Case Management
Hearing Trends
72 CAS hearings involved FIFA in 2024, double the number from 2023 (36 hearings). The majority of hearings (65%) were held via videoconference, refl ecting the shift toward digital case management. The relocation of FIFA’s Legal & Compliance Division to Miami in August 2024 contributed to the increase in virtual hearings.
Case Duration
The average duration of CAS cases in 2024 was 430 days. The evidentiary phase lasted 203 days, while the fi nal resolution phase took 227 days. Cases with in-person hearings lasted longer (444 days on average) compared to those decided on written submissions (360 days).
Legal Aid and Transparency Initiatives
The FIFA-CAS Football Legal Aid Fund (FLAF), which began in 2023, continued to support fi nancially disadvantaged clubs, players, and offi cials. FIFA published an updated list of arbitrators involved in CAS proceedings, reinforcing its commitment to transparency.
4. Key Takeaways and Future Outlook
Key Takeaways
Decrease in appeals: The 24% decline in CAS appeals against FIFA decisions suggests greater regulatory stability. Consistency in rulings: With 74% of cases upholding FIFA decisions, CAS continues to reinforce the legitimacy of FIFA’s disciplinary and regulatory framework. Digital transformation: The shift toward virtual hearings and digital case management is streamlining CAS operations. Olympic involvement: CAS’s fi rst-ever football cases at the Olympics demonstrate its expanding jurisdiction.
Challenges and Future Directions
Regulatory Adaptation – With evolving FIFA rules and increasing complexity in disputes, CAS must continue to refi ne its procedures. Technology & VAR-related Disputes – The growing use of VAR, digital evidence, and AI-driven analytics in football decision-making could lead to new legal challenges. Increased Case Volume Outside FIFA – The 32% increase in appeals from national federations and confederations signals a shift in football’s legal landscape beyond FIFA.
By maintaining its commitment to effi ciency, fairness, and transparency, CAS will continue to play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of football.
Conclusion
The CAS & Football Annual Report 2024 provides an insightful look into the legal mechanisms that govern football worldwide. With a notable decline in FIFA-related
appeals, growing case diversity, and increasing reliance on digital arbitration, CAS remains at the forefront of sports dispute resolution.
For legal practitioners, football stakeholders, and fans interested in the intersection of sports law and governance, the report serves as a valuable resource in understanding the evolving legal landscape of global football.