The sports legal system could collapse if Russia wins with appeals banned by FIFA and UEFA.

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The Russian Football Federation warned that they would use legal channels to force themselves into the heat of football. Can the chaos end with us seeing Russia in Qatar?

A potential rematch, in which the case ends up in the courtroom, opens up a series of possible consequences:

• What if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) judge reached a pro-Russian conclusion?
• Would Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic accept it if told that Russia would still be allowed to be in the playoffs?
• And can we in the next round get a World Cup where it is accepted that Russia participates, if they remain as playoff winners?
• Is the CAS authority so great that such a solution is realistic? Or can we stage a real rebellion, which would otherwise overthrow an already fragile sports law system?

In fact, it is inconceivable that the already embarrassing World Cup could end in a widespread boycott at the twelfth hour. It is hard to imagine that Russia’s participation in such a place could be politically eaten.

Confidence in international sporting institutions has weakened, and arbitral tribunals have often been criticized.

The legitimacy of the CAS having the last word in “the legal system of sport itself” must certainly be based on the fact that they have basic acceptance within.

In an imaginary situation where they land saying yes to Russia, the CAS judges will at the same time undermine their own role and position.

How the arbitral tribunal relates to Russia’s notified appeals is at the time of this writing entirely blue.

It is also a question of what ripple effect a football bank could have on another branch that has shut down Russia.

One of the most interesting questions quickly becomes the basis of what appeals can be made.

Regulations in sport are certainly not made for the extraordinary situation the world is currently facing.

If the jury wore the narrowest of glasses, and looked exclusively at what was happening on half the sports field, it might be difficult to see the Russian federation or national team to blame.

But this sporting environment also represents a nation. This is the same country that has fought against other countries in the “football family”.

It’s so special that it’s hard to see how the map and terrain would fit together, and what kind of treatment to trust.

Can CAS handle this case in the usual way, regardless of the war situation?

It’s impossible to say anything about it, but an article in Polish Sport raises concerns. CAS Judge Jakub Laswoski stated the following:

“This is an extraordinary situation, but CAS does not consider the moral or political aspects – only sport.”

Here, there will definitely be high stakes games in the future, where the only thing that is certain right now is that the questions are far more than the answers.

For now, we have to cross our fingers that law professor Trond Solvang’s judgment is adequate. He landed on one Chronicle in Court 24 follow:

“When one country at war attacks another, the togetherness of sport cannot continue as if nothing happened.”

This is no exaggeration.

International sports can’t stand that Russia won this rematch.