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Decisionofthe DisputeResolutionChamber passedon22November2023 regardinganemployment-relateddisputeconcerningtheplayerA BY: FransDEWEGER(TheNetherlands),Chairperson CalumBEATTIE(Scotland),member JohanVANGAALEN(SouthAfrica),member CLAIMANT: A,CountryA Representedby RESPONDENT: B,CountryB Representedby I.Factsofthecase 1.On18August2022,theplayerAandBconcludedandemploymentcontractvaliduntil31May2024. 2.Accordingly,theplayerwasentitledtothefollowingnetremuneration: -Season2022/2023:EUR1,100,000,payableasfollows:31.08.2022100.000.-Euro 01.10.2022150.000.-Euro 31.10.2022150.000.-Euro 30.11.2022100.000.-Euro 01.01.2023100.000.-Euro 31.01.2023100.000.-Euro 28.02.2023100.000.-Euro 01.04.2023100.000.-Euro 30.04.2023100.000.-Euro 31.05.2023100.000.-Euro -Season2023/2024:EUR1,100,000,payableasfollows:01.07.20232.500.-Euro 31.07.20232.500.-Euro 31.08.202395.000.-Euro 01.10.2023100.000.-Euro 31.10.2023150.000.-Euro 30.11.2023150.000.-Euro 01.01.2024100.000.-Euro 31.01.2024100.000.-Euro 28.02.2024100.000.-Euro 01.04.2024100.000.-Euro 30.04.2024100.000.-Euro 31.05.2024100.000.-Euro 3.Thecontractstipulatedthefollowing: (…)4-THECLUB’SOBLIGATIONS c.TorespecttheStatutes,Regulations,includingtheCodeofEthicsandDecisionsofFIFA,UEFAandFootballFederationCountryBandtocomplywiththeCodeofEthicsoftheFootballandtomaintainandpromoteethicalprinciplesandcodeofconductforfootball. InadditiontoitscontractualobligationsunderthiscontracttheClubisalsorequiredtofulfiltheotherobligationsimposedbytheRegulationsfortheStatusandTransferofProfessionalFootballPlayers. “9-DISPUTES AnyandalldisputesarisingoutorinconnectionwiththisContractshallbedealtwithexclusivelybytheCourtsandEnforcementOfficesofCitycountryBandshallberesolveddefinitelyinaccordancewithCountryBLaw.” 4.Art22ofthecontractstipulatedthefollowing: “TheClubhastherighttoterminatethiscontractimmediately,withjustcauseandwithoutpayinganycompensation: a.immediatelyfollowingtheinjuryorillnessarisingfromthecausesotherthanhisfootballactivitiesifitcanbedeterminedthatthePlayerwillnotbeabletoprovidehisservicestotheClubformorethansixmonthsor b.afterthepassingofsixmonthsfortheinjuryorillnessesforindefiniteperiods(art.21aboveisreserved).ThePlayerhasbeenfullyinformedregardingArt.27/1ofFootballFederationCountryBRegulationsontheStatusandTransferofPlayers(…)whichregulatestheclubs'righttoterminatecontractswithjustcauseincaseofplayers'injuryorillnessesarisingfromthecausesotherthantheirfootballactivitiesthatlastforsixmonths,hasbeenremindedthatheisfreetoinsuresuchariskathisowncostandhasacceptedtheClub'srightinadvanceandirrevocably.” 5.On5July2023,theplayersentadefaultnoticeandrequestedthepaymentoftheoutstandingamountofEUR500,000within7days. 6.On2August2023,theplayersentanewdefaultnoticeindicatingthatthefollowingamountsremainedunpaid,andgranted7daystoremedythedefault: •EUR100,000tobepaidonorbefore31stJanuary2023; •EUR100,000tobepaidonorbefore28thFebruary2023; •EUR100,000tobepaidonorbefore1stApril2023; •EUR100,000tobepaidonorbefore30thApril2023;and •EUR100,000tobepaidonorbefore31stMay2023. 7.On4August2023,theclubsentalettertotheplayerwith,interalia,thefollowing: “Ithasbeennotedthat;on04.08.2023intheeatinghallofourfacilities,youcarriedadisrespectfulattitudetowardstheProfessionalAffairsManagerofourClub,swungtheskeweryouheldinyourhandagainsthiminathreateningmanner,andverballyassaultedhimwithinsults.” 8.On10August2023,theplayerviahislawyersentalettertotheclubinwhichhedisputedtheaccuracyoftheclub’sallegations,referringtoCCTVfootagetosupporthisposition.Theletterdeniedanypriorimproperbehaviorbytheplayerandrefutedclaimsofa"verbalassault,"assertingthatitwastheProfessionalAffairsManagerwhohadthreatenedhim.Theletterconcludedbyrequestingwrittenconfirmationthattheclubwouldnottakefurtheractionagainsthimandsoughttheretractionofstatementsthatcouldhaveharmedhisreputation. 9.On10August2023,theplayersent,viahislawyer,anotherletter,terminatingthecontractwithimmediateeffect. 10.Theterminationletterstated,interalia,thefollowing: “Fortheavoidanceofanydoubt,theOutstandingSum,togetherwiththebalanceoftheEmploymentContractfornextseasoninthesumof€1,100,000million(resultinginatotalsumowedof€1,600,000) (…) pursuanttoArticle14ofFIFA'sRegulationsontheStatusandTransferofPlayer's,ourclientisfurtherentitledtoterminatetheEmploymentContractwithjustcause(…)WehavetodaywrittentoFIFAseparatelytoinformthemofthesituationandtoadvisethemastoour client'sreleaseforregistrationtoanotherteam.WewillalsoprovideFIFA'sregistrationsteamwithacopyofthisletterandthepreviousletterssentbyourselvestotheClub.WealsoencloseacopyoftheletterthatwehavesenttoFIFAtoday. 11.On5September2023,theFootballFederationCountryBconfirmedtheterminationofthecontract(“theterminationhasbeenenteredtoourrecords”) 12.On16November2023,theCountryCclub,C,enteredatransferinstructiontoengagetheplayerpermanently(TransferReference:XXXX). 13.On17October2023,FIFAauthorisedthetransferunderexceptionalcircumstances. 14.On17October2023,theFootballFederationCountryBrequestedthecancellationofthet