Manleys Represents Football Star in Landmark Victory at Court of Arbitration for Sport
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland (CAS), has ruled decisively in favour of a renowned footballer, represented by Manleys Solicitors, in a case against his club for unpaid wages and threats of police harassment. The footballer, celebrated for his international caps and goal-scoring feats in Europe’s top leagues, faced a harrowing ordeal after his high-profile transfer in January 2021 turned sour, with the club failing to pay his wages and demoting him to the U21 team.
Following a successful initial judgement at the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber, which was then appealed by the club to the CAS, Manleys enlisted the expertise of UK’s leading sports barristers, Steven Flynn of Kings Chambers and 2 Temple Gardens, along with rising star Rosie Knight (Kings Chambers).
The CAS, in its ruling, affirmed the player’s right to terminate his contract, acknowledging his efforts to address the breach of contract through wage payment discussions. The CAS dismissed the club’s argument that he should have given 14-days’ notice or adhered to FIFA RSTP’s 15-days’ notice for contract termination. The CAS also rejected the club’s claim that reassigning the player to the U21 team was justified. As a result, the club was ordered to compensate the player for outstanding salary, reduced earnings at his new club, and additional three months’ salary for termination related to non-payment.
Mark Manley, Managing Director at Manleys, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the player’s impressive court presence and the unwavering support of his agent, Roberto De Fanti, and his new club. Manley also praised the efforts of his team, along with Flynn and Knight, for their expertise in navigating the complex legal and regulatory landscape to achieve a successful result.
