FC Sion withdraw player dispute appeal at CAS

03 October 2011 14:35

FC Sion said on Monday that they have withdrawn their appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the Swiss Football League in a dispute over the eligibity of new players.

The Swiss club said they withdrew the appeal after the league confirmed that their six new summer recruits were eligible to play, in line with a court order.

"Having received confirmation that it can add its new recruits to the line-up, FC Sion has withdrawn its appeal from CAS," said the club.

However, Sion remain excluded from the Europa League after UEFA found they fielded ineligible players in a qualifying match with Scottish side Celtic, who were promoted to the competition in their place.

The club have taken the case before several Swiss courts, with a a regional court in the Canton of Vaud expected to deliver their verdict this week.

In July, the Swiss Football League had said that Sion's six new players were ineligible for the competition.

But the league reversed its decision after a civil court on August 3 ordered it to reconsider its initial position and to allow the new signings to play.

After hearing both parties, the civil court in September confirmed the verdict and rapped the league for the "anarchy" that had arisen due to poor management of the case.

The Swiss league subsequently authorised the new signings to play in a letter dated September 30, leading Sion to withdraw their appeal to world sport's top court CAS.

Source: AFP