FEI Tribunal dismisses British Nations Cup reinstatement demand

Friday, 22 January 2010 22:22

The FEI Tribunal has announced its decision in the case of the British Equestrian Federation’s (BEF) challenge to the FEI Bureau resolution relegating the British team from the FEI Nations Cup™. The Tribunal has decided not to intervene in the Bureau’s decision of 17 September 2009 relegating the Great Britain, Belgium, and Italian teams and has therefore declined the BEF’s challenge. As a consequence, those three teams remain relegated to the FEI Nations Cup™ Promotional League for the 2010 season.

Britain's show jumping team remains relegated to the "second division" of the FEI Nation's Cup.  The FEI decided in September that both Britain and Belgium would be relegated to the promotional league following their tied last place in the Nations Cup competition last year.

But the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) appealed that decision, arguing that Britain's show jumping team should remain in the top tier.  A hearing of the FEI disciplinary tribunal took place in Switzerland in December.

A spokesman for the BEF said: "We are very disappointed by this and need to consider the decision of the FEI Tribunal in detail before deciding our next move. We will also consult our stakeholders prior to making a final decision.

"The BEF has 30 days in which to confirm whether they will carry on the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport."

Belgium did not challenge the FEI's decision.

The full text of the decision is available here: http://eu.vocuspr.com/Url.aspx?522461x1140664x-231290