The Football Federation of North Macedonia has won a case at the KAS for the first time. The federation itself confirmed that KAS has upheld the decisions made after the Gostivar-Rabotnički match in the 2024/25 season.

The Albanian club from Gostivar abandoned the match, while the federation then decided on several measures, including a 9-point deduction and a fine of 7500 euros. Another decision was that the first 10 matches of the previous season would be played as home matches, in another stadium that is at least 100 kilometers away from the Gostivar stadium.

For the challenge in question, KAS has accepted the verdicts of the FFM. Enes Usta's claims have also been rejected. We recall that Gostivar withdrew from the championship and since then the club has not become active.

FFM announcement:

The Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM) informs the public that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne has completely rejected the appeals filed by KF Gostivar and Enes Usta, leaving in force the decisions taken by the competent bodies of the FFM.

The case concerns the sanctions imposed after the match KF Gostivar – KF Rabotnički (29th round, First League, 2024/2025 competition season), due to organizational deficiencies, the presence of unauthorized persons in the official areas, as well as the removal of the KF Gostivar team from the field of play. In the proceedings before the FFM bodies, the club was imposed with appropriate disciplinary sanctions, including the deduction of points, while Enes Usta was sanctioned for his behavior and for inciting the events that led to the interruption of the match.

After examining the appeals, the CAS in Lausanne found that the decisions of the disciplinary and appeal bodies of the FFM were taken in accordance with the applicable regulations and that the sanctions imposed were appropriate and proportionate to the violations found. Consequently, the appeals of KF Gostivar and Enes Usta were rejected, while the contested decisions of the FFM remained in full force.

The CAS decision is of particular importance for the FFM, as this is the first case in which the Federation has successfully defended its decisions before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. It also confirms that the decisions of the competent bodies of the FFM are based on the regulations and principles of football law and are subject to independent international legal review.

The FFM has been involved in proceedings before the CAS in the past. In 2011, the current FFM president, Masar Omeragic, won his case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the then leadership of the Federation, after he had previously been banned for life from football and, consequently, prevented from running for FFM president.

A ruling against the Federation was also issued by CAS in the dispute with former national team A coach Mirsad Jonuz regarding unpaid contractual obligations from his role as head coach. Today’s CAS decision in the case involving FC Gostivar and Enes Usta constitutes an important confirmation of the principle that football regulations must be applied equally to all and that their respect is the foundation for protecting the integrity of the competition.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne is an independent international institution, specializing in resolving disputes in sports, particularly appeals against decisions of sports federations and organizations.

The decision taken by CAS in this matter is final. CAS is the highest body for resolving such sporting disputes and there is no right of appeal against the decision in this case.

The Football Federation of Macedonia will continue to act in the future in a consistent manner, in accordance with its regulations, statutory provisions and the principles of UEFA and FIFA, with the sole aim of protecting the integrity of the competition, the rule of law in football and the equal treatment of all participants in football competitions.