Sion claim court ruling should invalidate Europa League results

By Andrew Warshaw

September 17 – The court injunction won by FC Sion against UEFA should invalidate Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win over Celtic, as well Udinese’s 2-1 victory over Rennes, in Thursday night’s opening Europa League group games, according to the Swiss club.

Sion say the ruling in UEFA’s home Canton of Vaud means neither result should be allowed to stand.

UEFA ignored the court ruling when it refused to overturn Sion’s expulsion for fielding ineligible players.

UEFA argued it had not been asked to present its case and that the court had made false assumptions.

FIFA statutes forbid clubs from going to civil courts to settle disputes, but Sion – who are refusing to give in – said the results of Thursday’s games should be wiped out.

“After the refusal of UEFA to submit to the Swiss civil court injunction, which ordered on September 13 the immediate rehabilitation of FC Sion in Group I of the Europa League, the civil court of the Canton of Vaud ruled that no result and placing in Group I of the Europa League could, for the time being, be validated,” a club statement said.

UEFA responded by simply saying it was “aware of this development and considering it”.

Sion has challenged UEFA on several fronts since being expelled from the Europa League.

The dispute began after they captured five players this summer despite a transfer ban imposed for allegedly breaching rules over the signing of Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary three years ago.

Sion claimed they had already served their suspension and a separate Swiss court decision prompted their home association to allow the players to be fielded in domestic competition – over which UEFA has no jurisdiction.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734829803labto1734829803ofdlr1734829803owedi1734829803sni@w1734829803ahsra1734829803w.wer1734829803dna1734829803