CAS rules in favor of Pumas in Dani Alves case as Mexican club win legal dispute

The CAS decision reverses the sanction imposed on May 15, 2024, by FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, which had initially ordered the Mexican side to compensate the Brazilian. The club announced the decision on Wednesday.

In its statement, the club emphasized that CAS recognized the validity of the termination, which took place in January 2023 after Alves was arrested in Spain on charges of sexual assault: “CAS ruled in favor of the Club, overturning FIFA’s decision and confirming that the termination was made with just cause. Moreover, it ordered Mr. Alves to pay a higher sum than what FIFA had previously determined, as compensation for the damages caused to this institution."

This outcome means Pumas will avoid paying Alves compensation and will also receive indemnification from the former player, a significant turn in the case.

Alves had filed a complaint with FIFA, claiming that Pumas had unilaterally and unjustifiably terminated his contract. He sought financial compensation for the remainder of his deal, arguing that his contractual rights had been violated.

The Mexican side said that the CAS decision sets an important precedent for the protection of clubs’ contractual interests. After more than a year of legal proceedings in international sports courts, Pumas now considers the case closed.