UEFA Suspends Osasuna and Fines La Liga Side for Court Battle
UEFA has handed Osasuna, a La Liga side, a suspended one-year ban from its competitions and fined them €100,000 for taking the organization to court in Pamplona over their previous exclusion from this season’s Conference League. The ban has been suspended for two years, and the club will also face a five percent deduction from their revenues earned in the Conference League this year.
Background of the Case
In June, UEFA inspectors recommended that Osasuna be expelled from the upcoming season’s Conference League due to their involvement in the competition. The decision was based on the “Caso Osasuna,” a match-fixing scandal that occurred during the 2013-14 La Liga season. Several former directors of the club were convicted in 2020 in relation to this scandal. However, Osasuna argued that the current administration had nothing to do with the scandal and had actually reported the irregularities to the authorities.
Resolution at CAS
Last month, after proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), UEFA allowed Osasuna to compete in the upcoming season. Osasuna won by “Consent Award,” a conciliation process overseen by CAS. During this process, UEFA accepted Osasuna’s arguments, eliminating the need for a formal case at CAS.
Violation of UEFA Statutes
While the case was resolved at CAS, Osasuna also took it to state courts in Pamplona, which violated UEFA statutes. The organization states that Osasuna failed to respect the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. As a result, UEFA has imposed sanctions on the club.
Consequences for Osasuna
Osasuna will still be able to participate in the upcoming Conference League. However, they will face a suspended one-year ban from UEFA competitions, which will be in effect for two years. Additionally, the club will be fined €100,000 and will have five percent of their revenues from the Conference League deducted. This serves as a reminder to clubs that they must abide by UEFA’s jurisdiction and respect its decision-making processes.
Upcoming Schedule
Despite the sanctions, Osasuna will be included in the draw for the play-off round on August 7. The play-off games are scheduled to take place on August 24 and 31, with the group stage commencing on September 21. Osasuna will have to navigate through these stages while facing the financial consequences of their actions.
Lessons Learned
This case highlights the importance of clubs adhering to UEFA’s statutes and respecting its exclusive jurisdiction. While Osasuna was successful in their appeal at CAS, their decision to take the case to state courts resulted in sanctions being imposed. It serves as a reminder to clubs that they must exhaust all legal avenues within UEFA’s framework before seeking external remedies.
Conclusion
UEFA’s decision to suspend Osasuna and impose a fine sends a clear message to clubs about the consequences of challenging the organization’s authority. While Osasuna will still be able to participate in the upcoming Conference League, they will face financial penalties and a suspended ban from UEFA competitions. This case serves as a reminder that clubs must respect UEFA’s jurisdiction and decision-making processes to maintain the integrity of European football competitions.