The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed King Faisal FC’s challenge to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after the club failed to settle the required arbitration fees within the stipulated deadline.
The Kumasi-based club filed the case on 1 September 2025, seeking to overturn decisions taken at the GFA Congress on 12 August 2025 — including the approval of a third term for the GFA President. However, the arbitration process has now been terminated entirely.
In a ruling issued in Lausanne on 17 November 2025, and signed by Elisabeth Steiner, Deputy President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division, the tribunal ordered that:
- “The procedure CAS 2025/A/11757 King Faisal FC v. GFA is terminated and removed from the CAS roll.”
- No costs would be imposed, aside from the CHF 1,000 Court Office fee already paid by the club, which CAS will retain.
Sequence of events leading to termination
According to the ruling, the club initiated the appeal on 2 September 2025, accompanied by a request for a stay of execution of the Congress decision. King Faisal subsequently filed its Appeal Brief on 12 September, while the GFA submitted its response to the stay request on 25 September.
On 30 September, CAS directed both parties to pay their respective shares of the advance of costs — totalling CHF 23,000 — by 23 October 2025.
Key developments then followed:
- 1 October 2025: The President of the CAS Appeals Division dismissed King Faisal’s request for a stay of execution.
- 10 October 2025: The GFA filed its Answer to the main appeal.
- 17 October 2025: CAS reminded King Faisal of the looming deadline for payment.
- 5 November 2025: The club was given three additional days to submit a SWIFT confirmation as proof of payment, failing which the case would be considered withdrawn.
By 11 November, CAS had still received neither payment nor proof of payment. King Faisal provided no further communication with CAS after the GFA filed its Answer.
The tribunal therefore invoked the provisions of the CAS Code, which state that an appeal is deemed withdrawn if the appellant fails to pay the required advance of costs within the prescribed period.
Congress decisions remain in effect
With the appeal struck out, all decisions adopted by the GFA Congress on 12 August 2025 — including the approval of the third presidential term — remain fully valid and enforceable.
The ruling effectively brings an end to the club’s attempt to challenge the Congress’ authority and confirms the continuity of the reforms adopted at Prampram on the day of the vote.
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