Lecturers

Partner at Ruiz-Huerta & Crespo Sports Lawyers

Juan de Dios Crespo Pérez is a Spanish sports lawyer, law professor and the current President of the International Association of Football Lawyers (AIAF). A partner at Ruiz-Huerta & Crespo Sports Lawyers, he is widely regarded as one of Europe’s leading authorities on sports law, EU law and international arbitration, with particular expertise in football transfer regulations, contract disputes and player mobility.

Landmark CAS cases: Webster and Matuzalem

Juan de Dios Crespo is best known for his counsel in two seminal cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that reshaped the legal landscape of professional football: Webster and Matuzalem. In the 2008 Webster case, he successfully represented Scottish player Andrew Webster in his dispute with Hearts FC over contract termination and transfer eligibility. The CAS ruled that Webster could terminate his contract during the protected period by paying limited compensation (£150,000), significantly strengthening players’ rights to mobility and prompting widespread debate on the balance of power between clubs and athletes. In the 2009 Matuzalem case, Crespo represented FC Shakhtar Donetsk in proceedings concerning Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem’s unilateral breach of contract to join Real Zaragoza. The CAS awarded Shakhtar €11.9 million in compensation, a decision viewed as recalibrating the equilibrium in favour of clubs and establishing clearer parameters for breach-of-contract damages under FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

Extensive CAS experience and arbitration roles

Juan de Dios Crespo has acted as legal counsel in more than 500 proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, covering disputes in football, cycling, handball and other disciplines. He also serves as an arbitrator at the European Handball Federation, Sports Resolutions in UK, and other sports arbitration entities, as well as the International Chamber of Commerce and several regional arbitration bodies. His dual perspective as both advocate and adjudicator has made him a trusted figure in high-stakes sports litigation.

Academic and leadership contributions

A prolific author, Juan de Dios Crespo has written or co-authored 20 books and over 150 scholarly articles on sports law. He is a regular speaker at international legal and sports business conferences. As AIAF President, he leads a global network of football lawyers dedicated to advancing legal standards, education and ethical practice in professional sport.