CAS struck out King Faisal case against GFA Congress third term decision

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (the “CAS”) has today, November 17, 2025, struck out the main case filed by King Faisal FC on 1 September 2025 in the matter of King Faisal FC v. Ghana Football Association (GFA) seeking among other reliefs, the Third Term decision of the GFA Congress.

King Faisal FC (the “Appellant”) had filed a Statement of Appeal with CAS against the GFA with respect to various decisions adopted by the GFA Annual General (GFA Congress) meeting held on August 12, 2025.

In a decision (Termination Order) delivered in Lausanne, Switzerland and signed by Elisabeth Steiner, Deputy President of the Appeals Arbitration Division of CAS, pronounced that:

1. the procedure CAS 2025/A/11757 King Faisal FC v. GFA is terminated and removed from the CAS roll.
2. the present order is rendered without costs, except for the Court Office fee of CHF1,000 paid by Appellant which is retained by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

According to the Decision, the facts are summarised as follows:

1. On 2 September 2025, King Faisal FC filed a Statement of Appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (the “CAS”) against Ghana Football Association (GFA) (the “Respondent”) with respect to the decision rendered by the GFA Congress on 12 August 2025, together with an application for a stay of execution of the decision appealed against.
2. The Appellant paid the Court Office fee of CHF 1,000 in accordance with Articles R48 and R64.1 of the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration (the “Code”).
3. On 12 September 2025, King Faisal FC filed its Appeal Brief.
4. On 25 September 2025, GFA filed its submission on King Faisal’s request for a stay of execution.
5. On 30 September 2025, the CAS Finance Director invited the Parties to pay their respective shares of the advance of costs (CHF 23,000) no later than 23 October 2025.
6. On 1 October 2025, the President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division issued its Decision dismissing Request for a Stay of Execution against the GFA.
7. On 10 October 2025, GFA filed its Answer against the main case of King Faisal FC.
8. On 17 October 2025, the CAS Finance Director reminded the King Faisal FC to pay the costs no later than 23 October 2025.
9. On 5 November 2025, King Faisal FC was requested to provide the CAS Court Office with a “SWIFT” proof of timely payment of the advance of costs within the deadline granted, within three (3) days upon receipt of said letter, failing which the appeal would be deemed withdrawn.
10. On 11 November 2025, in the absence of any payment from the King Faisal FC on the CAS bank account nor any proof of payment within the prescribed deadline, the CAS Court Office informed the Parties that the President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division, or her Deputy, would render a Termination Order in due course.
11. Since GFA filed its Answer against the case to CAS and King Faisal FC, the CAS has not heard from King Faisal FC till date.
12. Considering that, in case of non-payment of the arbitration costs within the time limit fixed by the CAS, the appeal shall be deemed withdrawn and the CAS shall terminate the arbitration and considering further that King Faisal FC did not pay the arbitration costs, the appeal filed by King Faisal FC shall be deemed withdrawn and the procedure CAS 2025/A/11757 King Faisal FC v. Ghana Football Association (GFA) shall consequently be terminated and deleted from the CAS roll.

In conclusion, the Decisions taken by respected GFA Congress, including the third term limited, which came into effect immediately on August 12, 2025 (the day GFA Congress took the decision at Prampram) shall continue to remain in force.