Nyon, Switzerland, Sept 13: The chaotic case of FC Sion's exclusion from the Europa League took another twist Tuesday when the Swiss club claimed it has been reinstated by a provisional decision from a civil court in UEFA's home canton (state).
Sion said the interim measure awarded by judges in Vaud means it can replace Scottish club Celtic and face Atletico Madrid in a group match on Thursday in Spain.
It was unclear if UEFA is obliged to recognize the civil judgment.
Even though UEFA insists Celtic will play, Sion has booked a flight to Madrid on Wednesday morning and reserved hotel rooms in the Spanish capital.
The civil court ruling was announced while UEFA's appeal panel was in session hearing Sion challenge its exclusion for fielding ineligible players in a playoff victory against Celtic last month.
Lawyers from Sion and Celtic are at UEFA headquarters awaiting a decision.
Sion lawyers went to civil courts—an act in itself forbidden by FIFA's statutes—after losing verdicts at FIFA, UEFA, the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Swiss supreme court.
Sion broke FIFA transfer rules in 2008 by luring goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary to walk out on Egyptian club Al-Ahly in the middle of the season and received a one-year transfer ban from the governing body of world football.
However, the saga has continued because Sion contends it served the ban cumulatively over a series of trading periods.
FIFA and UEFA believe the ban took effect when Sion exhausted an officially recognized appeal route at Switzerland's supreme court in January.
Sion defeated Celtic 3-1 over a two-leg playoff last month but used five of the six players it signed in the off-season in apparent breach of the FIFA ban.
Celtic played both matches under protest then formally complained to UEFA.
UEFA's disciplinary body reinstated Celtic by awarding it 3-0 wins by forfeit in both matches. AP
