FIFA orders three Ethiopian clubs to seek sports arbitration, not civil court

Photo Credit: FIFA

FIFA has ordered three Ethiopian clubs to halt their court proceedings against the Ethiopian Premier League Share Company (EPLSC) within three days, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) confirmed.

The three clubs are Mechal, Sidama Coffee, and Hawassa Ketema. The clubs were penalized by the EPLSC for not honoring the transfer regulations of the top flight when signing new players.

The three clubs appealed the decision to the EFF Appeal Committee, which upheld the decision taken by the league over a third-party payment. The clubs then sued the league in a federal court in Addis Ababa, where the decision was sanctioned.

FIFA informed the EFF that such disputes should be mediated by a football-related court and signaled a potential sanction if the clubs continue with the court proceedings. FIFA stated that the clubs can take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

FIFA has ordered the clubs to halt the court proceedings within three days. Among the sanctioned clubs, Mekele 70 Enderta took their case to CAS after the Appeal Committee upheld the league’s decision.