February 19 – The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has secured a significant legal victory in its ongoing dispute with former national team head coach Mladen Krstajić and two members of his coaching staff at the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
The national association had been the subject of a €312,00 compensation claim from Krstajić and his assistants Stefan Janković and Nemanja Milinčić following their dismissal in November 2023, with said legal action successful under rulings handed down by FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
However, the BFU continued proceedings to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, the highest judicial authority in Switzerland, which overturned the decision in favour of Bulgaria’s footballing body.
“The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has achieved a legal victory before the Swiss Federal Tribunal in the cases involving former national team head coach Mladen Krstajić and his assistants, Stefan Janković and Nemanja Milinčić,” explained the BFU in a statement.
“With its rulings, the court annuls the awards issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the cases arising from the termination of the employment relationships between the BFU and the coaching staff. The Swiss Federal Tribunal is remanding the cases to CAS for reconsideration, with instructions that the decisions of the FIFA Tribunal should be overturned.
“The court also orders the opposing parties to reimburse the Bulgarian Football Union for the legal costs incurred during the proceedings.”
This ruling represents a major strategic win for the Bulgarian FA, effectively resetting the legal battle and relieving the organisation of the immediate payout previously mandated.
Contact the writer of this story. Alexander Krassimirov, at [email protected]