Deportivo de La Coruna have been ordered to pay Nacional de Montevideo €800,000 for the transfer of Gustavo Munua in 2003.
According to Marca, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) have sided with football’s world governing body FIFA in backing the Uruguayan club’s claim to a fee for the player after the clubs had failed to reach agreement nine years ago.
Nacional subsequently decided to denounce Depor to FIFA but the Galicians countered by taking the case to the CAS, the highest sporting body to which they could appeal, as its rulings are binding and the litigants – in this case Depor and FIFA – are duty-bound to abide by its decision.
The only other recourse open to the La Liga club is to take the matter to a Swiss civil court, yet they will have just one month to comply with the resolution.
In case of non-payment FIFA could impose a deduction of six points on Depor and could even demand their relegation should the matter continue to be unresolved, although club officials are understood to be confident Jose Luis Oltra’s side will not be penalised.
Munua stayed at Riazor six years but made just 27 La Liga starts before a move to Malaga saw him establish himself as first choice at the Costa del Sol club.
However, he remained just one season at La Rosaleda and after a contract dispute he signed for Levante in August 2010, helping the Valencia-based club to Europa League qualification last term.
