1. FC Köln will appeal the FIFA ruling following the signing of U19 player Jaka Cuber Potocnik at the International Sports Court (CAS). The aim is also to obtain a suspension of the sentence until the final verdict.
FIFA’s verdict on the lawsuit brought by NK Olimpija Ljubljana over the signing of Jaka Cuber Potocnik was served on 1. FC Köln today, Wednesday.
Potocnik joined 1. FC Köln in January 2022 after resigning from his contract with Olimpija Ljubljana due to numerous breaches of contract by the club. The Slovenian first division club then accused the striker of illegally breaching his employment contract and sued him and 1. FC Köln at FIFA for damages. Potocnik’s former club accuses FC of inciting the player to breach the contract. On the other hand, 1. FC Köln has defended itself in a comprehensive statement of defense and, in particular, submitted numerous pieces of evidence that refute incitement to breach the contract.
However, in its judgment of February 1, 2023, the FIFA Football Tribunal ruled that Potocnik had terminated his employment contract with Olimpija Ljubljana without legal grounds. In addition, FC had not been able to refute the assumption that, as a new club, it had instigated the player to breach the contract.
As a result, FIFA decided as follows:
- The player was ordered (under FC’s joint liability) to pay damages to Olimpija Ljubljana in the amount of EUR 51,750.
- The player has been handed a four-month ban, effective immediately.
- 1. FC Köln will be banned from registering new players (national or international) in the next two transfer periods.
1. FC Köln will appeal against this judgment at the International Sports Court CAS. In addition, it is requested that the penalties be temporarily suspended until the final verdict.
