The Croatian lawyer representing Samir Nurkovic has objected to the comments made by Royal AM's legal head Leruma Thobejane in the case involving the Serbian striker.
After FIFA's award went in Nurkovic's favour last year and subsequently put a three-window ban on Royal AM, the club took the matter on appeal against the player and the world governing body to CAS, with the hearing heard on May 13.
READ: Free agents select 'banquet'
CAS have since extended their deadline on the issuing of their decision to September 13.
In the meanwhile, Thobejane has been issuing several public comments of the case and, in return, Davor Lazic – who is Nurkovic's lawyer – has decided to stand up.
"I must clarify, based on my extensive experience as an international sports lawyer representing clubs, coaches, players, and agents before the FIFA Football Tribunal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, that it is a fundamental rule of conduct not to comment on ongoing proceedings," points out Lazic.
"Particularly, one should refrain from publicly discussing confidential arbitration proceedings currently before CAS, such as the case involving Samir Nurkovic, FC Royal AM, and FIFA itself.
"The fact that the Club's lawyer continues to publicly comment on confidential CAS hearings is, in my opinion, quite unacceptable.
"In my practice, I would never adopt such an approach, especially not by publicly discussing details of confidential arbitration proceedings, as this can only harm the club's reputation and position.
"Moreover, my learned colleague's statement that CAS awards are rendered within 45 days of the hearing is simply incorrect.
"Typically, there are several postponements, and it generally takes a few months to a year to receive an award from CAS.
"CAS is a serious institution, and each award undergoes multiple levels of review within CAS itself before reaching the parties involved.
"Therefore, it is common for decisions to be postponed several times, especially during the Olympic Games and summer when much of the staff is engaged in other tasks.
"To put it simply, the postponement of the award is quite normal and is not related to the case's complexity. In fact, this is one of the simplest cases I have handled before CAS.
"The facts were not even discussed; the parties and witnesses did not take the stand.
"Only the admissibility of the club's appeal was considered, as they missed the deadline for requesting the grounds of the FIFA Decision and subsequently the deadline for appealing to CAS.
"Consequently, it is perplexing that anyone would present such misleading information about the case, which has not even been addressed before CAS.
"Keeping that in mind, I would not be surprised if CAS postpones its decision yet again and does not deliver it in September, as such delays are a normal course of action.
"I will comment on the case and the award itself in detail when the award is rendered and distributed to the parties, and it is appropriate to do so.
"I have no doubt that the final decision will be in favour of Samir Nurkovic and FIFA and against Royal AM.
READ: Sirino's valuation and priority post Sundowns exit
"In conclusion, I agree with my colleague representing Royal AM that African football needs legal support, which is precisely why my team and I represent and advise various football stakeholders in the African market.
"Our objective is to stabilize the market through education and prevention, helping to avoid these sorts of issues and unwelcome transfer bans.
"In the meantime, we will ensure that our clients' rights are protected before FIFA and CAS, if necessary," says Lazic from his base in Zagreb.