FIS MEDIA INFO: CAS Award confirms the disqualification of Didier Defago

Oberhofen, August 29th, 2006 – The Court of Arbitration For Sport (CAS) has denied the appeal of the Swiss Ski Association (Swiss-Ski) to revoke the disqualification of Didier Defago (SUI) from the FIS Alpine World Cup men's Super Combined race in Val d'Isere (FRA) on 11th December, 2005. CAS also ordered Swiss-Ski to pay FIS CHF 3'000 as a contribution to the legal costs.

The Panel of CAS arbitrators composed of John A. Faylor (GER) as President, Patrick Lafranchi (SUI) and Dr. Dirk Reiner-Martens (GER) today issued its Award. In its reasoning, the Panel validated the so-called ‘All-in-One' measurement procedure used in the equipment control in FIS Alpine World Cup since the 2001/2002 season. In addition, the Panel validated the use of the so-known ‘U-Instrument' to control the height of the racing skis for conformity with the equipment regulations. It further confirmed that the purpose of this procedure is to confirm a breach of the regulations, rather than the severity of that breach. The Panel concluded that in the case of Didier Defago an infringement of the equipment regulations had been unquestionably proven.

The appeal of Swiss-Ski before CAS was made against the decision of the FIS Court dated February 21st, 2006, that confirmed the decision of the FIS Alpine Appeals Commission from 16th December, 2005 to uphold the disqualification of Didier Defago by the competition jury based on an infringement of Article B 2.1.2 of the equipment regulations.

This decision of the CAS is final and cannot be appealed. The results of the men's Super Combined race in Val d'Isere (FRA) on 11th December, 2005, will thus stand.

For official communications from the Court of Arbitration For Sport (CAS) please consult: http://www.tas-cas.org