FIFA Football Tribunal: what it is, how it works and how to litigate before it
When a player does not receive his salary, when a club claims compensation for training, when a transfer becomes complicated or when a contract is terminated without just cause — and the parties are from different countries — the case ends in theFIFA Football Tribunal(FIFA Football Court).
It is the most important judicial body in professional football worldwide. Every year it resolves thousands of disputes between players, clubs, coaches and agents from all confederations. And yet, most soccer professionals don't know exactly how it works, how much it costs to litigate there, or what options they have when they receive an unfavorable decision.
In this article I explain everything: its structure, its three chambers, the type of cases it resolves, the step-by-step procedure, the costs, the deadlines, and how to appeal to the CAS.
- What is the Football Tribunal and how is it organized?
- The 3 chambers: CRD, CEJ and Chamber of Agents
- What types of disputes each chamber resolves
- The step-by-step procedure: from the request to the decision
- The proposal of the General Secretariat: resolution without hearing
- Costs: when it is free and when it is not
- Key deadlines: the 2-year statute of limitations and other times
- Consequences of non-payment: ban on registration and restriction on playing
- The appeal before the CAS
- Alternatives: the National Dispute Resolution Chambers (CNRD)
What is the Football Court
The Football Court is adecision-making bodyof FIFA, regulated by art. 48 of the FIFA Statutes and byRegulations of Procedure of the Football Court(March 2023 edition, updated January 2026). Its role is to resolve football-related disputes and decide on regulatory requests.
It is not a state court or an arbitration court like the CAS. It is ainternal body of FIFA—but its decisions are binding on all parties subject to the FIFA Statutes and Regulations, and are enforceable globally through the FIFA system.
The 3 cameras
The Football Court is made up ofthree chambers, each with specific competencies:
| Camera | What it solves |
|---|---|
| Dispute Resolution Chamber (CRD) | Club-player disputes on contractual stability (arts. 13-18 RETJ) with CTI involved; international club-player labor disputes; compensation for training and solidarity mechanism between clubs of different associations; EPP (Clearing House) disputes; disputes between clubs from different associations |
| Chamber of Player Statute (CEJ) | International club/association-coach labor disputes; requests for transfer of minors (art. 19); applications for first registration of foreign minors; ELM requests; federation change requests |
| Chamber of Agents (CA) | Disputes arising from international representation contracts between football agents and their clients |
Composition and applicable law
The members are appointed by theFIFA Councilfor four years. Presidents and vice presidents must have legal training; members must have practiced law and have experience in football (art. 4).
The applicable law:FIFA Statutes + Regulations, complemented by national agreements, laws and collective agreements, and the characteristics of sport (art. 3). After Diarra, the national legislation of the country of the contract has greater weight.
The step-by-step procedure
1. Presentation of the claim
It is presented through theFIFA Legal Hub(legal.fifa.com) or theTMS(for training and solidarity). It must include a statement of claim with allegations of fact and law, complete evidence and a request for reparation.
2. Preliminary issues
The General Secretariat verifies completeness and jurisdiction. Incomplete claim → deadline to correct.
3. Proposal of the General Secretariat
In simple cases or with clear jurisprudence, the Secretariat may propose a quick resolution (art. 20). If a partdoes not respond, it is considered that he accepted. The confirmation letter has the effect of a final decision.
4. Response and counterclaim
The defendant has time to respond. If you do not respond, the decision is made with the existing file. You can file a counterclaim along with the answer.
5. Decision
Less than USD 200,000: sole judge. More than USD 200,000 or complex case: at least 3 judges.
Single judge by default. Complex case: at least 3 judges.
The decision is first notified in summary format. The parties have10 daysto request the full foundation. If they do not ask for it, the decision is final.
Costs: when is it free
| Situation | Cost |
|---|---|
| At least one party is a player, coach, agent or organizing agent | Free |
| Dispute exclusively between clubs | Withprocedural costsaccording to scale |
| CEJ procedures (regulatory applications) | Withadvance payment of costs, except pure regulatory requests |
Consequences of non-payment (art. 24 of the RETJ)
When the Court orders payment and the party does not comply45 days:
Debtor club:Prohibition of registering new players until payment. Maximum:3 registration periodsconsecutives.
Debtor player:Restriction to play official matches until paid. Maximum:6 months.
The creditor may request the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to execute these consequences. They are automatic if they are included in the decision.
The appeal before the CAS
Decisions are appealed to theTASen21 daysfrom the notification of the full basis (art. 50 of the Statutes). The appealdoes not have a suspensive effect—the decision is executed unless the CAS or FIFA grants suspension. The CAS applies FIFA regulations and, in addition, Swiss law.
Alternatives: the CNRD
The RETJ allows you to opt for aNational Dispute Resolution Chamber (CNRD)recognized by FIFA instead of the Football Court (art. 22, paragraphs 1 b and c). The option must be explicit and written in the contract. The CNRD must comply with the FIFA Recognition Principles, including equal employer-employee representation, independence and procedural guarantees. Not all countries have recognized CNRD.
Practical guide to litigation
- Check jurisdiction:International dimension? CTI involved? CNRD clause?
- Controls prescription:More than 2 years since the events? If yes, you cannot sue.
- Gather all the evidence:Contract, correspondence, receipts, notices. Submit everything with the claim.
- Access the legal portal:legal.fifa.com or TMS depending on the type of case.
- Appoint representative:Recent and specific power of attorney in writing.
- Includes bank detailsif you claim a payment.
- Always respond within the deadline.Not responding = accepting the proposal or losing the opportunity to defend yourself.
Related articles
- RETJ explained article by article
- Termination of contract without just cause: consequences and sanctions
- FIFA training rights: what they are, how they are calculated and how to claim them
- FIFA solidarity mechanism: complete guide with examples
- The Diarra case (C-650/22): the ruling that changes football
- Sports Arbitration Court (CAS/CAS): practical guide for football cases
- Player contracts: structure, clauses and common errors
This guide is based on the FIFA Statutes (2024, arts. 48-51), the Rules of Procedure of the Football Court (March 2023 / January 2026), the RETJ July 2025 (arts. 22-24), the Guide to submitting claims to the Football Court, the Principles for the recognition of CNRD (February 2024) and the Regulations of Football Agents. This guidance is informative and does not replace the advice of a specialized attorney.
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