Practical guide
How to file an appeal with the FIGC Sports Court of Appeal using AI
4 min read · Updated June 2026 · Editorial oversight: Avv. Federico Papa
The appeal to the Sports Court of Appeal (Corte Sportiva d'Appello) represents the second instance of the internal sports justice system, aimed at modifying or overturning decisions made by local or national Sports Judges (Giudici Sportivi). Organically regulated by Articles 73 et seq. of the FIGC Code of Sports Justice (CGS), this remedy allows for the review of disciplinary sanctions, decisions on match regularity, or measures regarding the status of registered members. The purpose of the document is to ensure a review of both law and merits, guaranteeing the full implementation of the two-tiered system of sports jurisdiction provided by the FIGC Statute. Properly initiating proceedings requires strict compliance with the peremptory deadlines and service duties prescribed by federal regulations, failure of which results in the immediate inadmissibility of the appeal.
In brief
Appeals to the FIGC Sports Court of Appeal are governed by Articles 73 et seq. of the Code of Sports Justice (CGS). Pursuant to Article 76 CGS, a notice of appeal must be sent via PEC by 24:00 the following day for match validity disputes. Electronic filing in PDF with a digital signature is required within seven days. Requirements include paying the fee under Article 102 CGS and serving the counterparty via PEC. Legal defense follows Article 116 CGS, while AI systems support the technical drafting process.
The steps
- 1.
Submission of the notice of appeal
If the appeal concerns match validity, the appellant must send a notice of appeal (preavviso di reclamo) to the Sports Court of Appeal and the first-instance Sports Judge by 24:00 of the day following the match or the publication of the decision, pursuant to Article 76, paragraph 2, of the CGS. This requirement is a condition of admissibility and must be executed via certified e-mail (PEC) to ensure proof of timing. Failure to submit the notice within the prescribed deadline precludes examination of the merits of the subsequent appeal, rendering the challenge inadmissible.
- 2.
Drafting the grounds and the appeal
The appeal must be drafted in writing and contain a detailed presentation of the facts and legal grounds supporting the challenge, explicitly citing the violated provisions of the CGS or the FIGC Statute. The details of the challenged measure and the specific findings being contested for flawed reasoning or regulatory violations must be precisely identified. The drafting must be specific, as generic grounds or claims unsupported by technical legal arguments will lead to the dismissal of the appeal on the merits.
- 3.
Payment of the filing fee
The appellant must pay the appeal fee (contributo di accesso), the amount of which is fixed annually by the FIGC based on the membership category and the nature of the proceedings, pursuant to Article 102 of the CGS. Proof of payment must be attached to the appeal upon electronic filing. Without proof of payment, the judicial body cannot proceed to examine the appeal, resulting in an incurable procedural bar.
- 4.
Service on the counterparty
Pursuant to Article 76, paragraph 5, of the CGS, the appellant must serve the appeal and its grounds on the interested counterparty within the peremptory deadline set for filing the appeal. The counterparty is defined as any entity or individual (club or registered member) holding an adverse interest who could be prejudiced by a reversal of the decision. Proof of service, executed via PEC, must be submitted alongside the appeal to demonstrate compliance with the adversarial principle.
- 5.
Electronic filing of the appeal
The appeal must be filed with the secretariat of the Sports Court of Appeal within the deadlines established by Article 76 of the CGS, typically within seven days from the publication of the decision or the filing of the notice. The filing must adhere to the electronic procedures established by the sports justice system, ensuring all attachments are in PDF format and digitally signed by legal counsel. Failure to comply with the mandatory filing deadline results in the forfeiture of the right of appeal.
- 6.
Legal representation and defense
Before the Sports Court of Appeal, parties are entitled to legal representation by counsel admitted to the bar, in accordance with Article 116 of the CGS. The mandate must be conferred in writing and attached to the case file to validate representation at the hearing. Although self-representation is permitted in minor cases, the technical complexity of sports proceedings makes it advisable to engage an experienced practitioner to manage legal arguments and procedural objections.
Legal basis: Codice di Giustizia Sportiva FIGC (CGS)Statuto FIGC
The template structure
The standard sections that make up the document. The full template can be opened and completed directly on edit.legal.
Judicial body adressed
Indication of the Sports Court of Appeal, specifying whether the national or territorial section is competent for the dispute.
Parties
Full identification of the appellant, the resisting counterparty, and their respective counsels with power of attorney.
Challenged decision
Precise reference to the details of the Sports Judge's decision being appealed, including protocol number and official bulletin date.
Grounds for appeal
Factual and legal arguments aimed at demonstrating errors in the challenged decision with respect to the CGS or the FIGC Statute.
Conclusions
Formal request for the modification of the first-instance decision and specific indication of the requested replacement measure.
Evidentiary items and documents
Itemized list of documentation produced in support of the defense, including video footage, medical reports, or evidentiary motions.
Place, date, signature
Digital signature of counsel and client, specifying the place and date of transmission of the appeal.
Mistakes to avoid
- Failure to serve the appeal on the counterparty pursuant to Art. 76, paragraph 5 CGS, resulting in the inadmissibility of the application.
- Failure to submit the notice of appeal within the day following the match for disputes regarding match results.
- Incorrect service on the Federal Prosecutor's Office instead of the actual counterparty, violating the adversarial principle.
- Failure to attach proof of payment of the filing fee required by Art. 102 CGS upon filing.
Frequently asked questions
Is legal representation mandatory to file an appeal?
Article 116 of the FIGC CGS provides that parties may appear in court personally or with legal representation. However, given the technical nature of the proceedings and strict peremptory deadlines, representation by a lawyer specialized in sports law is strongly recommended to avoid inadmissibility.
What happens if I file the appeal via PEC after the deadline expires?
The deadline for filing the appeal is mandatory and does not permit extensions or late remedies; a submission sent after 24:00 on the deadline date results in the inadmissibility of the appeal, which can also be raised ex officio by the court.
To whom must the appeal be served to be valid?
The appeal must be served exclusively on the counterparty (the club or member concerned) via PEC within the filing deadline, pursuant to Art. 76, paragraph 5 CGS. The appellant has no obligation to serve the Federal Prosecutor's Office at this stage.
What edit.legal automates
- —Automatic verification of filing timeliness based on Art. 76 CGS deadlines.
- —Guided generation of the appeal structure with automatic citation of relevant FIGC Statute and CGS rules.
- —Verification of notification requirements to the counterparty and integration of PEC proof of service.
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