The European Union’s top court has ruled that some decisions by international governing bodies, such as FIFA and the IOC, can be challenged outside Switzerland, opening up a system that currently binds athletes,

The European Union's top court ruled on Friday that the decisions of FIFA can be challenged outside Switzerland, opening up a system that currently binds athletes, officials and clubs to accept verdicts there.

CAS, an institution independent of any sports organisation, handles significant legal sporting cases such as doping and contract disputes.

National courts must be allowed to conduct in-depth reviews of arbitral awards by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to ensure they are compliant with EU law, the European Court of Justice said on Friday.

Europe’s top court says sports federations can’t hide behind private tribunals to avoid EU law in a ruling that could reshape how global football handles disputes.