Termination with Just Cause in Romania: CAS 2023/A/9656 Răzvan Horj v. Club Sportiv Petrolul 52 Association & Romanian Football Federation

CAS 2023/A/9656 Răzvan Horj v. Club Sportiv Petrolul 52 Association & Romanian Football Federation

Date of the decision: 2025-03-10

Arbitrator(s): Mario Vigna

In contractual disputes presented before national dispute resolution bodies, National Football Associations possess the standing to be sued, as their judicial entities issue the decisions that are subject to appeal. This status renders them essential participants in any proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to facilitate the enforcement of a potential CAS ruling. This principle is consistent with the established jurisprudence of both the CAS and the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

Facts and Procedure

On 17 February 2022, Mr. Răzvan Horj (the Player) and Club Sportiv Petrolul 52 (the Club) entered into an employment agreement valid until 30 June 2024. The agreement provided for a net monthly salary between EUR 3,500 and EUR 5,000, in addition to EUR 250 as a housing allowance.

From the outset of his time at the Club, the Player was excluded from the team and training sessions. Consequently, in October and November 2022, he sent multiple formal notices requesting to be reinstated into the first-team training environment. Following the Club’s refusal and lack of meaningful response, the Player deemed that the Club had unilaterally terminated the employment contract without just cause.

On 15 November 2022, the Player lodged a claim before the National Dispute Resolution Chamber of the Romanian Football Federation (RFF), requesting (i) the termination of...

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