CAS Ad Hoc Divisions Rules published for UEFA Women's EURO 2025.

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CAS Ad Hoc Divisions Rules published for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.

CAS Ad Hoc Divisions Rules : The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has published the procedural rules for ad hoc divisions established during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 enabling fast-track resolution of sports-related disputes within 48 hours.

UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: Legal Framework and CAS Ad Hoc Divisions Rules

CAS Ad Hoc Divisions Rules : UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 will not only showcase elite-level women’s football but also mark a significant moment in the integration of sports law into major international tournaments. To safeguard the tournament’s legal integrity, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced the establishment of a dedicated Ad Hoc Division to resolve disputes arising during the championship, held from 2 July to 27 July 2025.

This Division ensures stakeholders have access to fair, impartial, and expedited dispute resolution. Decisions are rendered within 48 hours, maintaining the tournament’s competitive and scheduling integrity while upholding legal fairness.

Scope and Jurisdiction of the Ad Hoc Division

The CAS Ad Hoc Division’s jurisdiction is limited to disputes that arise directly during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 and fall within the ambit of UEFA’s regulatory framework. This includes:

Eligibility challenges concerning players
Disciplinary decisions taken by UEFA committees
Protests or appeals against match-related sanctions
Accreditation and participation rights of teams

However, matters that are purely commercial or unrelated to UEFA’s statutes and tournament-specific rules fall outside the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

Procedural Efficiency and 48-Hour Resolution

A hallmark of the CAS Ad Hoc process is its expedited nature. Arbitration panels are required to issue final and binding decisions within 48 hours of receiving a properly filed application. The procedures are flexible:

Hearings may be conducted in person or via video conferencing
All documents can be submitted electronically
Written submissions and oral arguments are encouraged to be concise
Emergency decisions may be issued within 24 hours where necessary

Proceedings are conducted in English, unless otherwise agreed. Each case is heard by a panel of one or three arbitrators from the CAS list, all of whom are legal experts in international sports law.

Cost-Free Access and Legal Representation

One of the most significant aspects of the Ad Hoc Division is that proceedings are free of charge. CAS does not levy administrative or arbitrator fees for cases heard under this framework. However, parties must bear their own legal representation or advisory expenses.

Applicants may be represented by lawyers, agents, or legal officers from their federation. This ensures that access to arbitration is not dependent on financial or geographical limitations.

Binding and Enforceable Decisions

All decisions rendered by the Ad Hoc Division are final and binding. There is no appeal process within the UEFA system or CAS appellate chamber. However, under exceptional circumstances, parties may challenge a decision under Swiss procedural law (as the legal seat is Lausanne).

How to File an Application

Any individual or entity directly affected by a decision during UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 may file a request with CAS. The application must contain:

A concise statement of the dispute
The specific relief or ruling requested
Copies of relevant documents and correspondence
Proof that internal UEFA remedies have been exhausted

Applications may be filed electronically to ensure accessibility across all host cities and national associations.

Download the Official Arbitration Rules (PDF)

The procedural document outlining the CAS Ad Hoc Division’s authority, process, and structure is publicly available:

Download CAS Ad Hoc Rules – UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 (PDF)

Also Read : FIFA WORLD CUP AD HOC DIVISIONS RULES

Conclusion

UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 is more than a continental showcase of women’s football—it is a tournament grounded in legal certainty and procedural fairness. The CAS Ad Hoc Division ensures that disputes are addressed professionally and promptly, without undermining the tournament’s flow.

As women’s football continues to grow in scale, reach, and commercial value, mechanisms like these ensure its governance structure evolves accordingly—reinforcing the rule of law in global sport.