AFC Entry Control Body’s decision upheld by CAS!

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) welcomes the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)’s decision to dismiss Esteghlal FC’s appeal against the AFC Entry Control Body (ECB)’s decision to withdraw the club’s licence to participate in the AFC Champions League 2022, pursuant to Articles 14.4 and 14.5 of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations (read together with Article 4.1.4 of the Procedural Rules Governing the AFC Entry Control Body).

On January 6, 2022, the ECB determined that Esteghlal FC and two other IR Iran clubs – Persepolis FC and Gol Gohar Sirjan FC – had not satisfied all of the mandatory criteria (as required under Articles 3.1 and 3.2(a) of the AFC Club Licensing Regulations) and, accordingly, should not have been granted licences to participate in the AFC Champions League 2022.

Subsequently, Esteghlal FC appealed to CAS, which has now confirmed the ECB’s decision. No appeals were made by Persepolis FC and Gol Gohar Sirjan FC against the ECB’s decisions.