Judicial Procedures and Time Limits in Sports Law

September 30, 2025

UEFA, Blog, CAS, FIFA, HMK, Law, sports law, TFF

Entrance

In sports law, speed, efficiency, and expertise are crucial in resolving disputes . Athletes, clubs, coaches, and managers must be aware of the available legal procedures and deadlines for resolving contract disputes, disciplinary actions, or transfer disputes .

In Turkey, these processes are primarily the TFF (Turkish Football Federation) boards, while internationally, UEFA, FIFA , and as the final authority, CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) become involved.

Furthermore, all these processes of the Code of Civil Procedure (HMK) . This is because the HMK establishes the basic framework regarding arbitration proceedings, the calculation of deadlines, and the procedures for applying to judicial authorities.

This article will examine in detail the avenues for individual appeals to CAS, TFF, UEFA, and FIFA, as well as the time limits for filing lawsuits, within the framework of sports law and the Turkish Code of Civil Procedure

I. Application Procedures in Türkiye – The Relationship Between the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and the Code of Civil Procedure (HMK)

1. Dispute Resolution Board (DRB)

It is the first point of contact for contract and payment disputes between footballers and clubs. Applications are made in writing. Appeals against decisions within 7 days .

When the Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) was established in 2007, it was tasked with resolving all disputes arising from football-related contracts under the repealed Law No. 3813. During that period, the DRB acted as a mandatory arbitration body , operating upon the application of the parties .

The TFF Law, which came into effect in 2009 , did not explicitly regulate the powers of the Disciplinary Committee. In this regard, the initiative was left entirely to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF)

In line with the amendment to Article 59 of the Constitution in 2011 , Articles 55 and 56 of the TFF Statutes were revised. With this amendment:

In disputes arising from football contracts, the parties are free to decide whether or not to apply to the CAS (voluntary arbitration).
However, in matters such as sporting sanctions and training compensation, the CAS's jurisdiction was defined as mandatory arbitration

Between 2011 and 2015, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) acted as a voluntary arbitration body in disputes arising from football contracts. However, with the decision of the TFF General Assembly dated June 25, 2015 , Articles 55 and 56 of the TFF Statutes were amended again, and from that date onwards, the CAAS once again became the exclusively authorized and mandatory arbitration body in disputes arising from football contracts

This regulation remained in effect until the Constitutional Court issued its decision dated January 18, 2018, numbered 2017/136 E., 2018/7 K.

Application Procedure and Judicial Process to the Dispute Resolution Board

For applications to the Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) to be considered valid, certain formal requirements must be met. Firstly, applications in writing . The applicant is obliged to attach a payment receipt for the application fee to their application. Files for which the application fee has not been paid will not be processed by the Board.

Upon receipt of the application by the UÇK Coordination Office, a preliminary review process begins. During this phase, the application is examined to determine whether it contains the mandatory elements stipulated in Article 6 of the UÇK Regulations. If no deficiencies are found, the file is forwarded to the Board of Presidents. Furthermore, after the plaintiff pays the arbitrator fees, the lawsuit petition and its attachments are served to the defendant. The defendant is obligated to select their arbitrator and submit their defense to the UÇK within 7 days of receiving the notification

Disputes before the Dispute Resolution Committee are resolved by a three-person Arbitration Board . This board consists of two arbitrators chosen or deemed chosen by the parties, and a chairman determined by the Board of Presidents. In resolving disputes, the board the Turkish Football Federation Law, the Turkish Football Federation Statutes, Turkish Football Federation instructions and regulations as well as FIFA and UEFA norms ; and evaluates the dispute Turkish substantive law .

The Arbitration Board may award attorney's fees in favor of the winning party in the case. In this case, the decision the Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff .

In terms of the decision-making process, the Arbitration Panel must deliver its reasoned decision within a maximum of four months from its formation date. However, this period may be extended in one-month increments if there are justifiable reasons .

There are two possibilities for the decisions given by the KLA Arbitration Panel to become final:

Failure to appeal to the Arbitration Board within 7 days of notification of the decision ,
If an appeal has been filed, the decision given by the Arbitration Board.

In both cases, the Arbitration Board's decision signifies the exhaustion of domestic remedies in sports law, and the decision becomes final.

2. Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDB)

It makes decisions regarding disciplinary penalties (red cards, suspensions, stadium closures, etc.). Appeals against these decisions within 7 days .

1. Definition and Structure of the PFDK (Professional Football Disciplinary Committee)

The Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDB) the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and functions as one of the main disciplinary bodies in the field of football. The board's primary objective is to maintain order and ensure that violations are met with fair sanctions by protecting the ethical values and rules of football.

2. Duties and Powers of the Disciplinary Committee

The Disciplinary Committee of the Turkish Football Federation (PFDK) is responsible for investigating and deciding on disciplinary violations by footballers, coaches, clubs, and other actors involved in football activities. In this process, the Committee aims to protect the integrity of football and the concept of fair play by adhering to the principles of independence and impartiality.

The main disciplinary actions falling within the board's jurisdiction are as follows:

Unsportsmanlike conduct by footballers,
Incidents on the pitch caused by clubs' fans,
Disciplinary violations by the technical staff and managers,
Other behaviors that constitute a violation of the basic ethical and disciplinary rules of football.

3. Referral Process to the Disciplinary Committee

Referral to the PFDK (Turkish Football Federation Disciplinary Committee) means that an individual or institution is brought before the Committee due to an alleged disciplinary violation committed during a match or football activity. This referral is usually made based on reports from match officials or findings from the TFF Legal Counsel. The referral process signifies the initiation of the disciplinary process and the conduct of a formal investigation.

4. Legal Nature of PFDK Decisions

Decisions made by the PFDK (Turkish Football Federation Disciplinary Committee) are binding under football law and directly affect the future sporting activities of the individuals or institutions concerned. These decisions;

Fines,
Match postponements,
Stadium closure or playing without spectators,
deprivation of rights .

The purpose of these decisions is not only to impose penalties, but also to ensure discipline and order in football and to protect a fair competitive environment.

5. Appeals and Legal Review

against PFDK (Professional Football Disciplinary Committee) decisions the Arbitration Board ). The appeal period is generally 7 days from the date of notification of the decision , and this period ensures the transparency and fairness of the disciplinary mechanism by allowing for the review of the decisions. Decisions of the Arbitration Board are final within the TFF and signify that all domestic legal remedies have been exhausted.

6. The Role of the Disciplinary Committee of the Turkish Football Federation in Football Law

The Disciplinary Committee of the Turkish Football Federation (PFDK) is at the heart of the disciplinary mechanism of Turkish football, and its decisions affect not only the clubs or athletes involved, but all actors in football. The committee's function the principle of fair play , ensuring public order, and maintaining sports safety.

3. TFF Arbitration Board

It is the highest judicial body within the TFF (Turkish Football Federation). It is the final avenue of appeal against decisions of the Disciplinary Committee and the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee. It makes final decisions ; no further appeals can be made to another authority within Turkey.

Relationship with the Code of Civil Procedure: Arbitration Board decisions are considered "arbitration awards" within the framework of Articles 410 et seq. of the Code of Civil Procedure. Only actions for annulment of can be filed on limited grounds.

Turkish Football Federation Arbitration Board

1. Definition and Legal Status

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Arbitration Board is the highest judicial body in Turkish sports law concerning football. While part of the TFF, the Board is independent and oversees the legality of decisions made by other federation bodies. Functionally, the TFF Arbitration Board is a secondary judicial body , and its decisions are final and binding . In this respect, it constitutes the last resort in domestic legal remedies within Turkish football.

2. Constitutional and Legal Basis

The legal basis of the Board Article 59 of the Constitution and Law No. 5894 on the Establishment and Duties of the Turkish Football Federation . Article 59 of the Constitution limits judicial review against decisions of sports federations regarding sports activities and provides for an arbitration mechanism for resolving disputes. In this context, the TFF Arbitration Board is a mandatory arbitration body regulated within the framework of both the TFF Law and the TFF Statute.

3. Duties and Responsibilities

The Arbitration Board has a broad scope of duties and is directly linked to the disciplinary and contractual order of football. Its main responsibilities are as follows:

Review of Disciplinary Board Decisions: Examining appeals against decisions of the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDB) and the Amateur Football Disciplinary Board.
Review of Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) Decisions: Evaluating decisions regarding contractual disputes between footballers and clubs.
Elections and Administrative Decisions: To be the final authority in disputes regarding the election and administrative procedures of TFF (Turkish Football Federation) bodies.
Implementation of TFF Statutes and Regulations: Making final decisions regarding violations of the federation's regulatory procedures.

The Board evaluates the disputes brought before it not only in accordance with Turkish sports law regulations , but also in accordance with international sports law principles and FIFA-UEFA norms

4. Structure and Operation

The Arbitration Board consists of members elected by the TFF General Assembly. A key requirement for member selection is that they be lawyers; this ensures that the board's decisions are based on legal grounds and have a judicial character. The board comprises a chairman, a vice-chairman, and a sufficient number of members.

Applications are submitted in writing, and deadlines are generally 7 days . The board reviews the parties' petitions and evidence and makes its decision. Decisions are reasoned and binding.

5. Legal Nature and Finality of Decisions

The decisions of the Arbitration Board are final; there is no possibility of appeal to another authority within the TFF's internal legal framework. In accordance with the Constitution and the TFF Law, these decisions are also not subject to judicial review. However, if the decisions conflict with FIFA and UEFA regulations, the parties the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) .

6. Academic Debates

There are differing opinions in legal doctrine regarding the legal status of the Arbitration Board. Some authors debate the independence and impartiality of the board, arguing that its affiliation with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) could compromise the principle of objectivity. On the other hand, it is also acknowledged that, due to its rapid decision-making mechanism and specialized structure, it plays an effective role in resolving disputes specific to sports law.

II. Individual Applications to UEFA and Deadlines

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) , a key player in international sports law , not only regulates the activities of its member federations but also establishes binding regulations for clubs, players, coaches, and administrators. These regulations are crucial for protecting the discipline and ethics of football, ensuring financial oversight, and maintaining sporting integrity.

UEFA has established avenues for resolving disputes and monitoring disciplinary violations arising within its structure, and these applications are subject to strict time limits . Below, the avenues for individual applications to UEFA, application procedures, and deadlines are examined from an academic perspective.

I. UEFA's Legal Framework

UEFA is a private legal entity governed by Swiss law, but the UEFA Statutes and UEFA Disciplinary Regulations . The main judicial bodies to which individual applications are directed within UEFA are:

Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB)
UEFA Appeals Body
In some financial disputes, the UEFA Club Financial Control Board (CFCB)

II. Possibility of Individual Application

1. Who can apply?

The following parties may apply to UEFA directly or indirectly:

Football players,
Head coaches and club staff,
Clubs,
National federations.

Individual applications from fans will not be accepted; however, they can be represented indirectly through the clubs.

2. Application Topics

Individual applications generally:

Disciplinary sanctions (on-field incidents, violence, racism, doping, etc.),
Licensing and financial criteria,
Organizational disputes (such as competition rules, player eligibility, etc.) are addressed.

III. Judicial Process Before UEFA

1. First Instance Authority: CEDB

The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee is the first-instance body to investigate allegations of violations.

Disciplinary referrals are usually the UEFA Disciplinary Inspector .
The decisions are communicated to the parties in writing, along with the reasoning behind them.

2. Appeals Body: UEFA Appeals Board

Appeals against CEDB decisions the UEFA Appeals Board .

The application period 3 days from the date of notification of the decision.
The appeal petition must specify in which respects the decision is unlawful.
The Appeals Board may uphold, modify, or overturn the decision.

3. Final Authority: CAS

against the decisions of the UEFA Appeals Board the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) .

The deadline for filing an appeal with CAS is 21 days.
This period is a forfeiture period.

IV. Application Procedures and Deadlines

Individual applications to UEFA to strict time limits :

Application to CEDB: Processing begins automatically upon referral to the disciplinary committee.
Appeal filing: Within 3 days.
Application to CAS: 21 days from the date of notification of the Appeals Board's decision .

These deadlines are absolute. The UEFA Disciplinary Regulations do not permit extensions of these deadlines except in exceptional circumstances. In this respect, the deadlines are similar to the concept of "preclusive periods" regulated in Article 90 of the Turkish Code of Civil Procedure

V. Nature and Legal Review of UEFA Decisions

Decisions of UEFA bodies are binding. However, these decisions proportionality and the right to a fair trial . CAS reviews UEFA decisions not only in terms of factual and legal assessment, but also in terms of procedural safeguards.

VI. Academic Discussions

Independence and Impartiality: The independence of UEFA bodies is a subject of debate in legal doctrine, particularly given that UEFA simultaneously assumes both regulatory and judicial roles.
Short Time Limits: The three-day appeal period is considered quite short in terms of the right to a fair trial and preparation of the defense; therefore, it is criticized from the perspective of the principle of proportionality.
The Role of CAS: CAS addresses this deficiency by providing parties with a broader opportunity for defense through final review of UEFA decisions.

1. UEFA Disciplinary Committee

It examines issues such as fan incidents, doping, referee attacks, and club discipline.
against the decisions within 3 days .

2. UEFA Appeals Board

It reviews appeals against decisions of the UEFA Disciplinary Committee.
The decisions can be appealed to CAS.

📌 Relationship with the Turkish Code of Civil Procedure (HMK): An appeal to CAS cannot be made without exhausting all domestic legal remedies within UEFA. This is similar to the "condition for filing a lawsuit" (HMK Article 114) in the HMK.

III. Individual Applications to FIFA and Deadlines

1. FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC)

It resolves international transfer and contract disputes between footballers and clubs .
Applications are generally submitted through an electronic system.
against the decisions within 21 days .

2. FIFA Disciplinary Committee

It investigates disciplinary violations such as match-fixing, doping, and fan incidents.
against the decisions within 21 days .

3. FIFA Appeals Committee

It is the highest judicial body within FIFA.
The decisions can be appealed to CAS.

📌 Relationship with the Turkish Code of Civil Procedure (HMK): Deadlines are also absolute in FIFA proceedings. According to HMK Article 90, these deadlines are of a forfeiture nature.

IV. Individual Applications to CAS and Time Limits for Litigation

1. What is CAS?

CAS is an international arbitration court located in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is the highest appeals body against decisions of FIFA and UEFA.

2. Who can apply?

Athletes,
Clubs,
Managers,
Federations.

3. Application Period

against FIFA and UEFA decisions within 21 days .
The application is sent to the CAS Secretariat in Lausanne.

4. The Trial Process

CAS hearings are usually in English or French .
Arbitration proceedings operate in accordance with Articles 407 et seq. of the Code of Civil Procedure.
The decisions are final and binding.

5. Annulment of CAS Decisions

The Swiss Federal Court reviews CAS decisions only on a very limited number of grounds for annulment (procedural error, lack of jurisdiction, violation of public order).

📌 Relationship with the Turkish Code of Civil Procedure (HMK): The grounds for annulment stipulated in Article 439 of the HMK against arbitration awards given in Turkey are limited. CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) awards are also binding within the scope of international arbitration, following the same logic.

V. The Importance of Time

In sports law, the application and litigation periods are extremely short.

TFF: 7 days
UEFA: 3 days
FIFA: 21 days
CAS: 21 days

👉 Failure to file these deadlines will result in the rejection of the application. According to the Code of Civil Procedure (Article 90), deadlines are forfeiture periods; therefore, a lawsuit cannot be filed if it is not filed within the deadline.

VI. Legal Basis

Law No. 6222 – Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports
Turkish Football Federation Statutes and Football Disciplinary Regulations
UEFA Disciplinary Regulations
FIFA Disciplinary Code & RSTP
CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration
Turkish Code of Civil Procedure, Articles 90, 114, 407–439 (time limits, conditions for filing a lawsuit, and arbitration provisions)

Conclusion

In sports law, the avenues for individual applications and litigation differ at the national and international levels .

In Türkiye, the Appeals Committee, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Arbitration Board come into play within the TFF (Turkish Football Federation).
At the European level, UEFA has Disciplinary and Appeals Bodies.
In world football, the FIFA DRC and the FIFA Appeals Committee play an active role.
Ultimately, CAS makes decisions that are binding on the entire sports community.

It should be remembered that the duration of lawsuits is extremely short in all these processes . The arbitration provisions regulated in the Code of Civil Procedure are applied verbatim in sports law. Athletes, clubs, and managers should seek professional legal support and adhere to deadlines to avoid any loss of rights.

CAS application deadline, FIFA, Turkish Code of Civil Procedure arbitration provisions.