Frequently asked questions
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Article summary
See below for the frequently asked questions regarding UEFA disciplinary decisions.
Article body
How does UEFA's disciplinary procedures work? What are the different roles of the bodies and how is the system structured?
Everything from how to appeal and how much it costs can be seen below in this FAQ section with contact details at the bottom for any special queries not covered by this comprehensive set of answers.
In what types of situation can disciplinary proceedings be opened?
In what language do I have to submit documents for disciplinary proceedings?
How is the UEFA disciplinary system structured?
Can I represent myself before the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body or the Appeals Body?
As a party to proceedings, do I have to attend the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body hearing?
How long does it take the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body to issue decisions without grounds?
Can I request a stay of execution?
How can I appeal against a Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decision?
When do I have to submit the grounds of my appeal and what must these contain?
Must I pay an appeal fee to lodge an appeal before the Appeals Body?
What happens if I miss an Appeals Body deadline?
What is the role of the disciplinary inspector in Appeals Body proceedings?
As a party to proceedings, do I have to attend the Appeals Body hearing?
In what form does the Appeals Body issue its decisions?
How much do disciplinary proceedings cost?
Are the disciplinary bodies' hearings open to the public?
Can I appeal against an Appeals Body decision?
Are the disciplinary bodies' decisions published anywhere?
Where can I find more information about UEFA's disciplinary proceedings?
FAQ answers
In what types of situation can disciplinary proceedings be opened?
Disciplinary proceedings are opened in cases of suspected breaches of the Laws of the Game, UEFA's statutes, regulations, directives or decisions, or the principles of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship.
Proceedings are opened by the UEFA administration:
• on the basis of official reports;
• if a protest has been lodged;
• for reported offences falling within the scope of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations;
• at the request of the UEFA Executive Committee, the UEFA President or the UEFA General Secretary;
• at the request of a disciplinary inspector;
• on the basis of documents received from a public authority;
• if a complaint has been filed.
Are the parties allowed to submit statements to UEFA after disciplinary proceedings have been opened?
The parties are allowed to submit their statements to UEFA after disciplinary proceedings have been opened and before a decision has been reached. The UEFA administration defines and communicates the exact deadlines for submitting statements.
In what language do I have to submit documents for disciplinary proceedings?
Documents submitted as part of disciplinary proceedings must be submitted in one of UEFA's official languages: English, French or German.
How is the UEFA disciplinary system structured?
As specified in Article 32 of the UEFA Statutes, UEFA has two disciplinary bodies – the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body and the Appeals Body. Disciplinary inspectors represent UEFA in proceedings before these disciplinary bodies. Both the disciplinary bodies and the disciplinary inspectors are independent but bound by UEFA's rules and regulations.
The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body deals with disciplinary cases that arise both on and off the field and do not fall within another committee or body's remit. The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body may decide to accept or dismiss a protest, halt proceedings, and acquit or convict a defendant. It also rules on questions of eligibility to play and the admission of clubs to UEFA competitions.
The Appeals Body handles appeals against disciplinary decisions taken by the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, which it either confirms, amends or revokes.
The role of the disciplinary inspector can be compared with that of a state prosecutor. Disciplinary inspectors investigate violations of UEFA's statutes, regulations and decisions, and represent UEFA in disciplinary proceedings. They may open disciplinary investigations and lodge appeals and cross-appeals.
The members of the disciplinary bodies and the disciplinary inspectors are elected by the UEFA Executive Committee (from a list of candidates proposed by the UEFA member associations) for four-year terms. They may belong to neither the Executive Committee nor any other UEFA organ or committee stipulated in the UEFA Statutes.
Can I represent myself before the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body or the Appeals Body?
Member associations, clubs, players and officials may choose whether to represent themselves or appoint a third party to represent them. Representatives must be in possession of a signed power of attorney.
As a party to proceedings, do I have to attend the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body hearing?
In principle, proceedings before the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body are conducted in writing. However, in exceptional circumstances and if the chairman agrees, a hearing can be held at the written request of a party.
What constitutes the content of the decisions of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, and how long does it take?
The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body mainly issues its decisions without grounds, providing only the operative part of the decision to the parties. Notification of a decision without grounds may be expected a week after the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body meeting.
How long does it take the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body to issue decisions without grounds?
Notification of a decision without grounds may be expected a week after the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body meeting.
Am I allowed to request the grounds of a Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decision?
On receiving the operative part of a decision, concerned parties have five days to submit a written request for the full decision with grounds.
Can I request a stay of execution?
Yes. A request for a stay of execution has to be made in writing to the chairman of the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body.
How can I appeal against a Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decision?
Appeals can be lodged against any Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decisions, except those in which the disciplinary measure imposed is limited to:
• a warning;
• a reprimand;
• an automatic one-match suspension following a dismissal;
• a disorderly conduct penalty under Article 36 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.
Before appealing against a Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decision, you first have to request the grounds of the decision.
Once you have received the grounds of the decision, you then have three days to submit a written declaration of your intention to appeal.
When do I have to submit the grounds of my appeal and what must these contain?
Within five days of the deadline for declaring your intention to appeal, you must file written grounds for your appeal. These must contain your legal request, an account of the facts, evidence, a list of the witnesses proposed (with a brief summary of their expected testimony), and your conclusions (in particular on whether to conduct the appeal proceedings orally or in writing). After this deadline, neither the parties nor the disciplinary inspector are allowed to produce any further written submissions or evidence.
Must I pay an appeal fee to lodge an appeal before the Appeals Body?
Yes. The appeal fee is €1,000, payable on submission of the grounds for appeal at the latest.
What happens if I miss an Appeals Body deadline?
If an appellant fails to respect a deadline, the chairman will declare their appeal inadmissible.
What is the role of the disciplinary inspector in Appeals Body proceedings?
The disciplinary inspector represents UEFA in proceedings before the Appeals Body. They may lodge an appeal against a Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decision and reply to or lodge a cross-appeal against an appeal lodged by the other party.
Am I allowed to speak my own language during an Appeals Body hearing, even if it is not one of UEFA’s official languages?
Yes, but you have to ask the UEFA administration in advance so that interpreters can be organised as required.
As a party to proceedings, do I have to attend the Appeals Body hearing?
Yes, you or your legal representative has to attend the Appeals Body hearing if you have requested to conduct the proceedings orally.
In what form does the Appeals Body issue its decisions?
The Appeals Body issues its decisions in writing. The operative part may be sent out ahead of the grounds, which would then be sent a later date.
How much do disciplinary proceedings cost?
The costs of proceedings before the Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body are borne by UEFA, except in cases of protests, when they are borne by the defeated party.
Who pays for proceedings before the Appeals Body depends on the outcome of those proceedings. The Appeals Body decides at its own discretion who will pay how much, or whether UEFA will cover the whole cost.
The appeal fee is deducted from the cost of proceedings or reimbursed, depending on how the costs are ultimately allocated.
Are the disciplinary bodies' hearings open to the public?
No, hearings are limited to the parties and their legal representatives.
Can I appeal against an Appeals Body decision?
Yes, you can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in accordance with the UEFA Statutes and the Code of Sports-related Arbitration of the CAS.
Are the disciplinary bodies' decisions published anywhere?
A significant step forward was taken in the 2013 edition of the Disciplinary Regulations, from the point of view of good governance and transparency. Article 45 now stipulates that the UEFA administration "publishes decisions issued by the disciplinary bodies". If a decision contains confidential information, the UEFA administration may decide, however, to publish an anonymised version.
Every six months the leading Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decisions and all Appeals Body decisions are published on www.uefa.org/disciplinary.
Where can I find more information about UEFA's disciplinary proceedings?
All the latest information and news on disciplinary matters is published on www.uefa.org/disciplinary.
If you have any questions about disciplinary proceedings in which you yourself are involved, feel free to contact the UEFA Disciplinary and Integrity Unit:
Phone: +41 (0)848 00 27 27
Fax: +41 (0)22 707 28 97
Email: discipline@uefa.ch