Counsel for international football disputes
Antanas Paulauskas is an attorney-at-law and arbitrator based in Vilnius, Lithuania, with experience representing clients before the FIFA Football Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. His education includes a Master of Laws from Vilnius University, ISDE’s Global Master in International Sports Law and the UEFA Football Law Programme. The practice advises international clients in English.
We assist both parties bringing claims and parties responding to them. Advice begins with the agreement, the payment history and the sporting context, so that the procedural route serves a clear objective.
Which chamber can hear the matter?
The Football Tribunal has three chambers with different responsibilities:
- Dispute Resolution Chamber: international player–club employment disputes, including remuneration and termination, and training compensation or solidarity disputes within FIFA’s competence.
- Players’ Status Chamber: international coach employment disputes involving clubs or associations, and disputes between clubs affiliated to different associations, including transfer-related payment claims.
- Agents Chamber: representation-agreement disputes that satisfy the relevant international-dimension, agreement-date and other jurisdiction requirements.
A connection with international football does not settle every jurisdiction question. We review the parties, contractual forum clauses, applicable rules and dates, and whether a national dispute resolution system or another forum is relevant. Regulatory applications and disciplinary proceedings also require separate assessment.
Preparing a claim or defence
Our work may include:
- Clarifying the claim: identifying unpaid remuneration, bonuses, transfer instalments or other disputed obligations, and assessing termination-related positions.
- Building the record: reviewing contracts and amendments, payment evidence, notices and correspondence; identifying gaps before submissions are prepared.
- Developing the response: assessing objections, counterclaims and the evidence needed to answer the opposing party’s case.
- Managing the procedure: preparing submissions and supporting documents, monitoring notifications and deadlines, and communicating through the FIFA Legal Portal.
- Exploring resolution: considering a negotiated settlement or, where appropriate, voluntary FIFA mediation alongside the contested route.
We discuss the strengths, uncertainties and practical value of a claim before agreeing the scope of representation. A legal assessment should also address what a proposed settlement resolves and which obligations remain.
After a decision
We advise on the decision, the available compliance steps and whether an appeal to CAS is available and appropriate. The appeal route and time limit must be checked for the particular decision. An initial enquiry or ongoing settlement discussions should not be treated as preserving a filing deadline.
Discuss your FIFA dispute
For an initial review, identify the parties and their countries, your role, the agreement concerned, the main events and the outcome sought. Tell us whether proceedings have started, whether a decision has been received and whether any deadline has been stated. For payment matters, indicate the amounts and due dates in dispute.
Please initially provide only what is needed to understand the matter. Extensive confidential or sensitive files can be discussed after an initial assessment and conflict check. Contact info@claimsinsport.com. Submitting an enquiry does not establish a lawyer-client relationship; we confirm any engagement and its terms separately.
Related expertise
Practical insight
Football club has not paid your salary: preparing a FIFA claim