Letter To Matthieu Reeb

Mr Matthieu Reeb Secretary General Tribunal Arbitral Du Sport Château de Béthusy Avenue de Beaumont 2 CH-1012 Lausanne Switzerland 6th November 2009 Dear Matthieu, I am writing in regards to your decision on 6th November to grant Chelsea FC’s “Request for Stay” in the Chelsea FC - Gaël Kakuta - Racing Club De Lens case. Whilst I can appreciate that it could be consider “unfair” for them to serve their ban from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the next two complete, consecutive registration periods whilst their appeal against it has not been ruled on yet, you must be able to appreciate that there is no point in the ban if you allow them to buy in the January 2010 transfer window. A team such as Chelsea has immense spending power and will now strengthen their squad in preparation for the ban, which makes it pointless and redundant. So with this in mind, I would request that you hold the hearing and render you final decision on this matter before 31st December 2009. This is not an unreasonable request that gives you plenty of time to assemble the necessary panel and view all of the evidence that has been presented to you by FIFA, Chelsea FC and Racing Club De Lens. If you take this action it would mean that the decision is either overturned and thrown out, or it is upheld and Chelsea FC will actually be affected and suffer from the ban as initially intended. This in turn will send a message to all other clubs who will learn from Chelsea’s mistakes. If you do not take this action it will send a message of weakness. Chelsea will not suffer from their punishment if the decision to ban them is upheld next year, no lessons will be learned and clubs will carry on breaking the rules, knowing that they can get away with it. I urge you to make the correct decision and hold the appeal before the end of the year and make your final decision before the January Transfer window. I know this is not only your decision to make so trust that if you are in agreement with me you will use your influence with the other councils. I trust you will make the right decision, Kind Regards Alex Hill