Five national chess federations have formally launched a legal challenge against the International Chess Federation (FIDE) at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), contesting the decisions taken at December’s online General Assembly to lift restrictions on Russian and Belarusian national teams.
The federations of Ukraine, England, Norway, Estonia, and Germany announced on Tuesday that they have submitted a joint Statement of Appeal to CAS, challenging resolutions adopted at FIDE’s General Assembly on December 14.
The appeal to CAS, the highest arbitration body for international sports, is the crucial first step in what could be a lengthy legal process. The federations are represented by the multinational U.S. law firm Covington & Burling.
In the joint statement, the federations said:
The Appellants submit that the challenged resolutions were adopted following serious procedural irregularities, including violations of the FIDE Charter and fundamental principles of transparent and lawful decision-making within international sports governance. Through this appeal, the Appellants seek an independent legal review by CAS of the procedure by which the General Assembly decisions were adopted.
The heart of the dispute is FIDE’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian teams to return to official competitions for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
The six-hour online General Assembly on December 14 was heavily criticized by a number of delegates and federations and ended with the approval of two contradictory resolutions, both passed by secret ballot, something critics argue violates Article 17.15 of the FIDE Statutes, which requires an open vote for such decisions.
The first resolution by the Russian Chess Federation, calling for the complete removal of all restrictions, including restoration of national flags and symbols, passed by 61 votes to 51, with 29 abstentions or non-participants.
Shortly afterward, a second resolution from the FIDE Council was also approved, by 69 votes to 40. That motion allows Russian and Belarusian teams to return, but keeps restrictions on national symbols in adult competitions pending further consultations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich declared both votes valid, and the chess governing body later said it would implement the “point of consensus” between the two resolutions.
The German Chess Federation noted on their website that concerns were raised during the Assembly about an “independent legal opinion” circulated in support of reinstating Russian teams. That memorandum was authored by a Swiss lawyer who has previously represented the Russian Olympic Committee in cases against the IOC, raising questions of neutrality.
Ingrid Lauterbach, the President of the German Chess Federation, noted that CAS proceedings can take months, or even years, but said the matter is urgent given that the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan this year takes place in September. “It would be unserious to give a time estimate,” she said. “We can only hope for a decision as quickly as possible, especially since this case has a certain urgency.”
The federations welcome support from other federations, stating: “Other FIDE member federations that do not participate as co-appellants are encouraged to express their support through written statements, which may be submitted and referenced in the course of the CAS proceedings.”
FIDE has not yet responded to Chess.com’s request for a comment on the appeal, but earlier stated that it, “recognises the right of any member federation to seek review,” expressing confidence that the resolutions would be upheld.
