CAS Dismisses Appeal by Chess South Africa Regarding FIDE-Supervised Elections

CAS Upholds FIDE’s Decision for FIDE-Supervised Elections for Chess South Africa

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has made a final ruling in the case involving Chess South Africa (Chess SA) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), upholding FIDE’s decision to hold FIDE-supervised elections for Chess SA in November 2023.

The dispute began in early 2023 when internal issues within Chess SA led to the South African Sports Federation and National Olympic Committee suspending the organization. FIDE intervened by appointing a “Reverse Delegate” to oversee democratic elections within Chess SA, which took place on November 25, 2023. Mr. Andre Lewaks was elected as the new President of Chess SA.

After losing an appeal in front of the FIDE General Assembly, Chess SA and certain Executive Board members took their case to CAS. However, CAS ruled the appeal inadmissible due to procedural issues, stating that the Chess SA Executive Board did not have the authority to file the appeal and certain members had not followed the proper internal appeals process.

With the CAS decision now final and subject to immediate execution, FIDE officially recognizes the results of the elections and wishes the new management success in advancing chess in South Africa.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport, established in 1984, is an independent institution that resolves legal disputes in the field of sport through arbitration or mediation. With nearly 300 arbitrators from 87 countries, the CAS handles around 300 cases annually.

For more information on the Court of Arbitration for Sport, visit their official website at tas-cas.org.