Basketball Arbitration Award - Ghassan Sarkis, Ralph Sarkis vs Alwehda Club KSA - BAT 1737/21
Summary of the case: The Lebanese Coaches, Ghassan Sarkis and Ralph Sarkis, filed a claim against the Saudi Arabian club Alwehda Club KSA for outstanding salaries, bonuses, penalties, agent fees, medical costs, and interest. The Claimants submitted that the COVID-19 pandemic did not justify the payment of reduced amounts for the 2019/2020 season and that they lawfully terminated the contract entitling them to the full contractual value for the 2020/2021 season. In its Answer, the Respondent argued that the parties agreed on a reduction of the owed amounts for the 2019/2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that the Claimants’ termination of the contract was without just cause. The claim was partially upheld.
