CAS made a partial decision in favor of West Ham on the dispute between West Ham and CSKA Moscow and FIFA regarding the payment of 7.28 million pounds (8.55 million euros) transfer fees between Croatian midfielder Vlasic.
The payment was originally scheduled to be paid in July 2022, but the payment was not paid after the British and U.S. governments imposed sanctions on Russian entities, including the CSKA and its designated bank Sovcombank.
West Ham argued that fulfilling payments would violate sanctions and put the club at legal risks.
In a ruling released by CAS on Monday, the court found that the sanctions prevented West Ham from fulfiling its payment obligation at the time, and also ruled that although West Ham was responsible for the unpaid balance, the obligation was suspended until the sanctions were revised or lifted.
The decision delays the initiation of any disciplinary action, including a possible transfer injunction, until 45 days after the sanctions are lifted or approved to allow the transaction. Interest on the unpaid amount will also be calculated from that date.
FIFA had previously ordered immediate payment of owed payments and threatened penalties, and CAS overturned the decision and dismissed the CSKA's argument that West Ham could have used alternative payment channels without violating sanctions.
The CSKA Moscow said it could appeal to the Swiss Supreme Court.