Swiss Courts Ruling on Valieva is Final and Unappealable

Lawyer **Anna Antseliovich** commented on the recent decision by the Swiss Federal Court, which denied Russian figure skater **Kamila Valieva’s** request to annul or revise the ruling made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding her anti-doping rule violation. According to the expert, this ruling cannot be contested.

“The ruling made today by the Swiss Federal Court has little bearing on Valieva’s return to competition. This case has reached a conclusion; it is now closed, as there is no further avenue for her to pursue. Although there is still the European Court of Human Rights, it is important to understand that even if this court were to hear the matter, it wouldn’t be on the substance of the case. If the court determines that the athlete’s rights were violated in some way, she would be entitled to compensation. However, the decisions of the CAS and the Swiss Federal Court will remain in effect.

Therefore, it’s definitive: this case is concluded, and the disqualification is in effect. However, it will expire at the end of December this year. Two months before the end of her disqualification, she will be allowed to start training officially on the ice with her coach and other athletes in preparation for her return to competition,” Antseliovich’s comments were reported by TASS.

To clarify, Valieva was sanctioned with a four-year disqualification by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at the end of January 2024 for violating anti-doping regulations. The disqualification period is counted from December 25, 2021.