Rafael Leão to Pay EUR 16,5 million for Unilateral Breach of Contract

TAD, 18 March 2020, no. 61/2018

Date of the decision: 2020-03-18

On 18 March 2020, the Portuguese Sports Arbitration Court (TAD) imposed a EUR 16,5 million compensation on Mr Rafael Leão (the Player) to his former Club Sporting CP (the Club) for unilaterally terminating his contract in 2018.

Facts and Procedure

On 15 May 2018, the Club’s facilities were attacked by a group of self-proclaimed “Sporting fans”. The Player belonged to a group of nine players who canceled their employment contracts, citing the aforementioned attack as just cause to terminate. It is noteworthy to mention that the Player signed an employment contract with the Club from 14 December 2017 until 30 June 2022.

On 18 June 2018, the Player initiated a...

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