End is nigh for Sion and UEFA battle

By Andrew Warshaw

October 25 – The ongoing dispute between Swiss club Sion and UEFA is set to be resolved late next month once and for all.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) says it will make a ruling on November 24 and UEFA president Michel Platini insists the body’s decision must be the final word on the matter.

Sion were thrown out of the Europa League for fielding ineligible players in their play-off match against Celtic and UEFA has since rejected numerous attempts by the club to regain their place via the Swiss civil courts, insisting that the CAS is the only authority with jurisdiction.

Platini is adamant that success in civil courts will throw football into turmoil.

“If tomorrow you receive a red card on the pitch and you go to a judge because you cannot play in the next match, and the judge says you are right, what can we do?” Platini told French broadcaster RTL.

“Everything must depend on the CAS.

“Today, we have in principle an independent disciplinary process in the federations, in UEFA, in FIFA.

“If nobody respects its decisions and goes before civil courts, now that justice today moves slowly, I ask myself how this could happen.

“What do we do if a club relegated to the second division go to a court because they have a first division budget and want to stay there?”

The CAS hearing date is subject to all parties’ availability, and a statement on UEFA’s website read: “UEFA has constantly insisted on the need for a rapid decision on the merits of the case and has therefore already confirmed its availability, in an effort to respect all of the dates proposed by the CAS.”

If a decision is made in Sion’s favour, a number of contingency plans have been drawn up, which could mean adding them into the group that Celtic are currently participating in.

Celtic are in Group I, and along with Atlético Madrid, Udinese and Rennes, their representatives are monitoring the case closely as they could all be required to face the Swiss side twice if they are added.

Another option could be for all games in the group played so far to be nullified and for a new set of games involving Sion to take place, whilst a third possibility involves a play off.

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