Sion file criminal complaint against Fifa over Switzerland ban threat

[Arn]

Sion file criminal complaint against Fifa over Switzerland ban threat

• Swiss club say Fifa threat is unacceptable blackmail
• Fifa has threatened to suspend Switzerland from world football

The Swiss club Sion have announced that they have filed a criminal complaint against members of Fifa's executive committee over its threat to suspend Switzerland from world football.

Sion said on their website that the threat made on 17 December by football's ruling body amounts to unacceptable blackmail and a breach of basic legal rules.

Fifa said it wanted the Swiss national association to discipline Sion within one month over a long-running legal battle.

Sion are contesting their expulsion from the Europa League in September for fielding players signed during a Fifa transfer ban imposed in 2009.

If the suspension takes effect, Basel would be prevented from playing Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16. The first leg is scheduled for 22 February.

Basel knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League at the group stage, leading to suggestions that the English champions may be reinstated in the competition, though Uefa, the European governing body, has refused to comment.


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[Craig_H]

This is somehow gonna end up with the mancs back in the CL, isnt it?

[Arn]

This is somehow gonna end up with the mancs back in the CL, isnt it?

I doubt that now that Sion have filed a criminal complaint against FIFA. If they throw Basel out of the CL and they then lose the court case against Sion then Basel could sue UEFA/FIFA for a lot of money.

Money they would have earned in the CL. Basel could argue that they would have won the CL and sue them for €50m+.

Prize money, revenue etc.

[Craig_H]

I doubt that now that Sion have filed a criminal complaint against FIFA. If they throw Basel out of the CL and they then lose the court case against Sion then Basel could sue UEFA/FIFA for a lot of money.

Money they would have earned in the CL. Basel could argue that they may have won the CL and sue them for €50m+.

Prize money, revenue etc.

No court in the world would sustain that.

[ChesterDave]

No court in the world would sustain that.

Realistically they would have to. Much in the same way employment tribunal have to take into account earnings from potential promotions even if the staff member is an incompetent buffoon.

[Arn]

No court in the world would sustain that.

No one know that. Basel could argue that they knocked out Man U and they finished second last season so they could beat anyone.

[little dave hedgehog]

bout time someone had the balls though. probably worth it.

[Arn]

bout time someone had the balls though. probably worth it.

Will be interesting. If Sion win the case then it would mean that you have the right to sue FA/UEFA/FIFA for football matters.

They wouldn't be able throw clubs out if they do it.

That would be blackmailing and a breach of basic legal rules.

[RichC]

a case well worth watching, it's possible we'll see a backing down of UEFA here - no way they want a court case which in the long term could call into question their power and way of dealing with things (same as the FA and FIFA) and open them to more and more cases being filed against them.

[ChesterDave]

bout time someone had the balls though. probably worth it.

I think it is well worth it. If they have the balls to follow it through then I do not think it beyond the reals of possibility someone could go to jail for contempt of court (assuming they dont back down). May sound preposterous but look at the facts;

FIFA is an organisation in Switzerland and is established under Swiss Law.
FIFA (laughably) is registered as a non-profit organisation which under Swiss Law apparently means nobody can sue them.
However, I can not see that being a blanket ban. Could you realisitcally see a court telling someone fired from their job in the FIFA offices for being a gay black woman - the triple whammy of homophobic racialistic sexism - being told - sorry, not allowed to sue. Obviously there is going to be some exceptions to this rule.
The protection from lawsuits might also be removed should FIFA try to get a little too big for their boots - like they are now - in directly defying (or at least attempting to with blackmail) a Swiss court.
Swiss court says players can play in Switzerland under Swiss law. FIFA, established under Swiss law seems to think it can tell a court it knows better and insist the Swiss FA ban them.

If Basel are kicked out of the CL because of this then and Sion dont back down then it stops being Sion v FIFA and becomes Switzerland v FIFA.

There only going to be one result from that and its a new 1 billion euro headquarters being built in Liechtenstein

[BillobShaisley]

Are FIFA moving to Liechtenstein?

There'd be only 1 reason for that, secrecy of enterprise/income.

[ChesterDave]

It was the only place I could think of off the top of my head where they could get the same (or at least similar) secrecy/financial benefits they do in Switzerland

[RichC]

FC Sion deducted 36 points by the Swiss FA dear ****ing lord

[RichC]

looks like the Swiss FA bottled it due to FIFA's threat.

[Neil Young]

Oh well, at least Manchester United will have to play on Thursdays.