The European Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne has ruled in favour of Falkirk in their protracted case against Bradford City over compensation for former Bairns striker Mark Stewart although they have reduced the fee the Yorkshire side had been ordered to be pay by FIFA.
The case has been running since the summer of 2011 when Stewart moved to Valley Parade and the Bairns believed that they were due compensation as the front-man turned 23 that June. Bradford believed that as he was 23 after the English season ended on May 31 and therefore no payment was due.
FIFA found in favour of Falkirk with Bradford ordered to hand over €230,000 in compensation in February 2013 however the Yorkshire club refereed their case to the Court of Arbitration.
A decision was originally due before Christmas however that was put back until January and then February with it finally made after a delay caused by the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The Lausanne based body have now confirmed that they have ruled in Falkirk’s favour however they reduced the development compensation to €185,000 which is approximately £150,000.
Stewart failed to establish himself at Valley parade and has since played for Hamilton, Dundee and Kilmarnock before joining Derry City recently.
Bradford City’s Director of Operations David Baldwin told the club’s website: "Clearly we are disappointed with this outcome as we felt there was no case to answer in this first place, hence why we appealed the original decision.”
“The club can confirm to its supporters that this money has been accounted for in this season's budget.”
Falkirk Technical Director Alex Smith said: “We are pleased that we have been found to be right. We have not seen the full judgement so cannot comment on why the fee was reduced.”
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