Source: http://www.swissarbitrationdecisions.com/cas-jurisdiction-on-a-doping-case-confirmed-no-procedural-violat
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 05:01:46+00:00

Document:
The Federal Tribunal was seized of an appeal against an award issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”) on July 17, 2008. The arbitrators (Quentin Byrne-Sutton, Türker Arslan and Christian Duve as chairman) annulled a previous decision and imposed a two-year ban on a professional wrestler. A member of the Ukraine Wrestling Federation, she had been tested positive for furosemide (a diuretic used in the treatment of heart failure and oedema, yet banned as a drug in sports) during the European Wrestling Championship in Moscow in the spring of 2006.
As most of you know, sport arbitration is by now the most important source of appeals to the Federal Tribunal. Some are of limited interest and it would be an exaggeration to suggest that the enclosed opinion raises any fascinating issues of principle.
(i) as to jurisdiction, the wrestler claimed that the CAS lacked jurisdiction because the original decision – a shorter ban – had been issued by the FILA president and jurisdiction of the CAS was limited to decisions issued by the FILA Federal Appeal Commission itself. The Federal Tribunal held that who had issued the decision was a matter of fact and not a legal issue. Hence, the Federal Tribunal was bound by the factual finding of the CAS. See sections 5.3 and 5.4 of the opinion in this respect.
(ii) A violation of the right to be heard was claimed in this respect as well but the Federal Tribunal found that the Appellant had ample opportunity to state her position in the CAS proceedings. Therefore, there was no violation of the right to be heard. See section 5.5 of the opinion in this respect.
(iii) Finally, an argument of ultra petita and a claim that public policy had been violated were rejected out of hand. See sections 6 and 7 of the opinion in this respect.
As suggested above, the opinion shows that it is not infrequent for sport arbitration matters to reach the Federal Tribunal although the appeal hardly stands a chance. This is probably an issue that the sport arbitration community should address whenever possible. Swiss counsel asked to file an appeal within the short Swiss time limit (30 days) do their best to raise any possible argument, whilst pointing out to their correspondents that the Federal Tribunal exercises a very narrow review only. However, the lawyer abroad, often under pressure from his client or from a national federation, wants any and all possible appeals exhausted and the consequence is a number of cases in which the Federal Tribunal rejects the appeal, often with “boiler plate” reasoning. What good this could possibly do to international arbitration remains to be explained and one can only hope that things will improve in this respect in future.
A.a A.________ (Appellant 1), domiciled in Azerbaijan, is a professional wrestler. She has been a member of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation since July 2007. She was previously a member of the Ukraine Wrestling Federation.
The Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation (AWF; Appellant 2) is the Azeri national wrestling federation responsible for the promotion and development of wrestling in Azerbaijan. It oversees wrestling, particularly with regard to compliance with applicable rules.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA; Respondent 1) is a Foundation under Swiss law based in Lausanne. Respondent 1’s mission is to fight doping worldwide in sport, in all its forms.
The International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA; Respondent 2) is the international federation of associated wrestling styles. It is responsible for the promotion and development of sport wrestling at international level and oversees sport wrestling particularly with regard to compliance with applicable rules. It is an association under Swiss law.
A.b On April 25 and 26, 2006, Appellant 1 participated in the European wrestling championship in Moscow. She won the competition in the women’s 48 kg category. On April 26, 2007, she underwent a doping test. She tested positive for unauthorized use of the diuretic Furosemide.
In his decision of May 31, 2006, the FILA Sporting Judge imposed a one-year ban on Appellant 1.
On June 9, 2006, FILA sent a copy of this decision to WADA. WADA replied that, in its view, a one-year ban did not comply with regulations and that it was considering taking action against the decision before the CAS. Thereupon, FILA advised WADA that it intended to review the decision.
On September 4, 2006, the FILA Sporting Judge issued a new decision and imposed a two-year ban on Appellant 1.
A.c The Ukraine Wrestling Federation informed FILA, in a letter of November 23, 2006, that it had sought further clarification on the matter. According to that letter, a friend and former competitor of Appellant 1, B.________, admitted to have inserted the forbidden substance into a bottle of mineral water that Appellant 1 drank from at dinner at the Hotel "C.________" in Moscow, on April 24, 2006. B.________ was later banned for life for this conduct. In light of this new finding, the Ukraine Wrestling Federation requested the sanction issued against Appellant 1 be reconsidered.
On June 18, 2007, the Ukraine Wrestling Federation filed a new request with FILA and requested the shortening of the ban.
In a fax of June 20, 2007, the FILA President wrote to the Ukraine Wrestling Federation that he had reviewed the case again and was in his capacity as FILA President in favour of shortening the ban to 15 months. According to the FILA President, the Appellant would be entitled, after July 26, 2007, to participate in all national and international championships.
A.d On September 21, 2007, an anonymous person informed WADA of Appellant 1’s participation in the world championship in Baku in September 2007. She came in 7th place and thus qualified for participation in the Olympic Games in Peking.
On the same day, WADA requested an explanation from the FILA Secretary General, who informed WADA on September 26, 2006, that, following the appeal of the Ukrainian Wrestling Federation, the FILA Federal Appeal Commission had shortened the ban to 15 months. On the same day, WADA requested a copy of the decision and a detailed explanation.
On October 1, 2007, WADA sought further explanations. On October 3, 2007, the FILA Secretary General informed WADA that the FILA President has the power to offer an amnesty and to reduce sanctions based on Art. 60 of the FILA Disciplinary Regulations.
On October 11, 2007, Respondent 1 appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision that was notified to Appellant 1 on June 20, 2007, irrespective of whether it had been rendered by the FILA Federal Appeal Commission or by the FILA President. It requested a two-year ban against Appellant 1.
The CAS was composed of Dr Christian Duve (President), Quentin Byrne-Sutton and Türker Arslan.
In an arbitral award of July 17, 2008, the CAS assumed jurisdiction over the appeal of Respondent 1. It granted the appeal, annulled the decision of FILA of June 20, 2007, and imposed a two-year ban on Appellant 1 from April 26, 2006, to April 25, 2008.
In a Civil law appeal, the Appellants request the complete annulment of the arbitral award of the CAS dated July 17, 2008, and a finding of the CAS’ lack of jurisdiction over the appeal of WADA of October 11, 2007, against the decision of June 20, 2007, of the FILA President. Furthermore, they seek a finding that the FILA President’s decision of June 20, 2007, relevant to A. ________ came into force, and that Appellant 1 was excluded and banned from participating in national or international wrestling competitions for a period of 15 months, namely from April 26, 2006, to July 26, 2007. Respondent 1 submits the appeal should be rejected. Respondent 2 expressed no view. The CAS waived its right to express an opinion.
In a decision of the Presiding Judge of November 26, 2008, Respondent 1’s request that CHF 5’000.-- be provided in security for costs was granted.
This decision was notified to the Parties and the lower court on March 17, 2009. Due to an oversight, Federal Judge Klett was listed as co-Presiding Judge instead of Federal Judge Corboz, who sat as presiding member of the First Civil Law Court. In this complete text of the decision, that oversight has been corrected.
With regard to the procedural request of the Appellants that they be given the opportunity to express their position on any submissions and answers of the Respondents and any opinions expressed by the CAS, it must be held that, as a rule, the Federal Tribunal does not order a second exchange of briefs (Art. 102 (3) BGG4). The Appellants were however free to express their position once more – without delay – on the answer of the Respondent 1 (BGE 133 I 98 at 2.2). They did not avail themselves of this possibility.
The arbitral award under appeal is in English. In the proceedings before the Federal Tribunal, the Appellants used German, and Respondent 1 used French. As the language of the award under appeal is not an official language5, the Federal Tribunal will issue its decision in the language of the appeal in accordance with its practice (see Art. 54 (1) BGG).
A Civil law appeal is admissible against the decisions of arbitral tribunals under the conditions set forth at Art. 190-192 PILA6 (Art. 77 (1) BGG).
In this case, the seat of the arbitral tribunal is in Lausanne. The Appellants do not have their domicile or seat in Switzerland but in Azerbaijan. As the Parties did not exclude in writing the provisions of Chapter 12 of the PILA, these apply (Art. 176 (1) and (2) PILA).
According to Art. 77 (3) BGG, the Federal Tribunal only examines the grounds of appeal that are raised and reasoned in the appeal. The strict requirements developed by the Federal Tribunal under Art. 90 (1) (b) OG7 (see BGE 128 III 50 at 1c p. 53) continue to apply in view of the fact that the new law did not purport to make any changes in this respect (BGE 134 III 186 at 5).
The Federal Tribunal bases its decision on the facts established by the Arbitral Tribunal (Art. 105 (1) BGG). It cannot rectify or supplement the factual findings of the arbitrators, even if these findings are clearly inaccurate or were made in violation of the law within the meaning of Art. 95 BGG (Art. 77 (2) BGG, which excludes the application of Art. 105 (2) BGG). However, as was already the case in Public law appeal proceedings under the old law8, the Federal Tribunal retains the faculty to review the factual findings on which the award under appeal is based if admissible grounds for appeal, within the meaning of Art. 190 (2) PILA, are raised, or if new facts or evidence exceptionally admitted within the scope of a Civil law appeal based on Art. 99 (1) BGG, are taken into account (decision 4A_128/2008 of August 19, 2008 at 2.4, in: Bull. ASA 4/2008 777; see further: BGE 129 III 727 at 5.2.2; 128 III 50 at 2a p. 54).
The Appellants challenge the jurisdiction of the CAS based on Art. 190 (2) (b) PILA.
5.1 According to Art. 190 (2) (b) PILA, the Federal Tribunal exercises free judicial review on the issue of jurisdiction, including preliminary questions of material law on which the decision on jurisdiction depends. However, the Federal Tribunal reviews the factual findings of the arbitral award under appeal in the framework of an appeal on jurisdiction only to the extent that admissible means of appeal within the meaning of Art. 190 (2) PILA are brought forward against these factual findings or when new facts may exceptionally be taken into account (BGE 134 III 565 at 3.1; 133 III 139 at 5 p. 141; 129 III 727 at 5.2.2 p. 733 with references).
5.2 The CAS assumed jurisdiction in accordance with R47 of the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (CAS Code) and Art. 13.2.1 of the FILA Anti-Doping Regulations.
In cases arising from a competition in an international event or in cases involving international level athletes, the FILA Sporting Judge's decision may be appealed to the FILA's Federal Appeal Commission. In case of disagreement about the decision, the parties may appeal exclusively to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in accordance with the provisions applicable before such court. The CAS decision is executory and final.
5.3 The Appellants submit that, pursuant to the arbitration clause of Art. 13.2.1 of the FILA Anti-Doping Regulations, only the decisions of the FILA Federal Appeal Commission are capable of appeal to the CAS, however not the decisions of the FILA President. The decision of June 20, 2007, appealed by Respondent 1 before the CAS was made by the FILA President. This decision was not capable of appeal to the CAS. Consequently, the CAS wrongly assumed jurisdiction.
5.4 This argument fails already in light of the fact that the Federal Tribunal cannot review the factual findings of the lower court (Art. 105 (1) BGG; at 3 and 4.1 above). Contrary to the opinion of the Appellants, the question of whether or not the award under appeal on the shortening of the ban was rendered by the FILA Federal Appeal Commission or the FILA President is not a question of law but a factual issue. In its assessment of the file, in particular FILA’s letter of September 28, 2007 (see above at Ad), the CAS reached the factual conclusion that the FILA Federal Appeal Commission made the decision to reduce the ban on Appellant 1 from two years to 15 months at its meeting following the inauguration of June 15, 2007. This decision was notified to the interested parties by the FILA President in his letter of June 20, 2007.
5.5 In this respect, the Appellants claim a violation of their right to be heard, in accordance with Art. 190 (2) (d) PILA. If this were a factual question, the finding of the CAS that the decision of June 20, 2007, was rendered by the FILA Federal Appeal Commission would be clearly erroneous and contrary to the file. This is because the decision of June 20, 2007, which was provided to the CAS with the file, clearly shows that it was made by the FILA President.
In this respect, an erroneous finding or a finding incompatible with the file alone does not in itself constitute a violation of the right to be heard. Such a violation occurs only in the case of a formal denial of rights, including if a party is denied the possibility of participating in proceedings, of influencing them and of submitting its position (BGE 133 III 235 at 5.2; 127 III 576 at 2b-e).
The Appellants make no such argument. Rather, they had ample opportunity to express their position on the issue of which organ of FILA rendered the award under appeal. The CAS considered and assessed the whole file, including the letter of the FILA President of June 20, 2007. The fact that this assessment led to a different conclusion to the one reached by the Appellants does not mean the right to be heard was violated.
The Federal Tribunal must therefore proceed on the assumption that the decision challenged by WADA before the CAS concerning the shortening of the ban to 15 months was made by the FILA Federal Appeal Commission. Thus, the CAS had jurisdiction to decide WADA’s appeal.
The Appellants’ claim that the CAS should not have assumed jurisdiction to decide WADA’s appeal is thus unfounded.
In the event of the Court holding that the decision on the shortening of the ban was rendered by the FILA Federal Appeal Commission, the Appellants argue that the CAS adjudicated issues that were not raised before it within the meaning of Art. 190 (2) (c) PILA. Even if the FILA Federal Appeal Commission had in fact rendered a formal decision, it would not yet be established that this decision was the one dated June 20, 2007. Respondent 1 challenged before the CAS the decision of June 20, 2007, which was made by the FILA President. If the CAS had, in the decision under appeal, annulled a decision of the FILA Federal Appeal Commission, it would have adjudicated an issue which was not raised before it.
Article 190 (2) (c) PILA covers arbitral awards that grant more than was requested, or something different, or omit to adjudicate a legal issue (BGE 120 II 172 at 3a). This is not the case here. Prior to the appeal, WADA was unclear as to whether the decision concerning the shortening of the ban had been rendered by the FILA Federal Appeal Commission or by the FILA President. It therefore challenged the decision of June 20, 2007, “irrespective of whether it had been taken by the FILA Federal Appeal Commission or by the President”11. It is therefore not specified which organ of FILA rendered the decision. Accordingly, par. 4 of the arbitral award merely states: “The decision of FILA, dated 20 June 2007, is set aside.”12 In these factual circumstances, it cannot be said that the CAS made a ruling beyond the scope of Respondent 1’s claim.
Lastly, the Appellants argue that the arbitral award under appeal violates formal public policy (Art. 190 (2) (e) PILA). They argue that Appellant 1 was denied access to the state courts as a result of the CAS wrongly assuming jurisdiction. This is all the more serious in the field of sport arbitration, as sportsmen have no choice other than to consent to the arbitration clause of the world sporting federations. The award under appeal, which the CAS did not have jurisdiction to issue, is therefore gravely inconsistent with the sense of justice.
The grievance cannot be upheld at all as it is not true that the CAS did not have jurisdiction to decide Respondent 1’s appeal. The CAS did not wrongly assume jurisdiction. The grievance, which relies on an assumption to the contrary, is therefore unfounded.
The appeal is therefore unfounded and must be rejected. In accordance with the outcome of proceedings, the Appellants are liable for court costs and the Respondent’s costs (Art. 66 (1) and Art. 68 (2) BGG). Solely Respondent 1’s costs shall be borne by the Appellants. Respondent 2, which was not represented by an attorney, did not make any submissions.
2. The judicial costs, set at CHF 4’000, shall be borne severally by the Appellants.
3. The Appellants shall severally pay to the Respondent 1 an amount of CHF 5’000 as a share in the costs for the federal judicial proceedings. This amount shall be paid out of the security paid to the Court.
4. This decision shall be notified in writing to the Parties and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
1. Translator’s note: Quote as A._________, AWF v. WADA, FILA, 4A_416/2008. The original of the decision is in German. The text is available on the web-site of the Federal Tribunal www.bger.ch.
3. Translator’s note: in French in the original text.
4. Translator’s note: German abbreviation for the Federal Statute of June 17, 2005 organising the federal courts, RS 173.110.
7. Translator’s note: German abbreviation for the previous Federal Statute organizing Federal courts, which was substituted by the BGG (see note 4).
8. Translator’s note: in the original text: „im altrechtlichen Verfahren der staatsrechtlichen Beschwerde“.
9. Translator’s note : In French in the original text, the English version is cited here.

References: Art. 60
 Art. 54
 Art. 190
 Art. 77
 Art. 90
 Art. 95
 Art. 105
 Art. 190
 Art. 99
 Art. 190
 Art. 190
 Art. 190
 Art. 13
 Art. 13
 Art. 190
 Art. 190
 Art. 68
 v.