The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled in favour of Mehdi Nafti in a contractual dispute with the Tunisian Football Federation, awarding the coach financial compensation after his agreement was terminated before he could officially begin his duties.
The decision, which brings an end to a months-long legal process, confirms that Nafti is entitled to 142,810.22 Tunisian dinars. The federation has been instructed to settle the amount within 30 days of receiving formal notification of the ruling.
Dispute Rooted in Technical Staff Disagreement
The case dates back to 2024, when Nafti was appointed to join the technical staff of the Tunisian national team under head coach Faouzi Benzarti. However, tensions quickly emerged regarding the structure of the coaching team and the scope of Nafti’s responsibilities.
At the centre of the disagreement was Benzarti’s refusal to accept an assistant imposed by the federation. He maintained that selecting his own backroom staff was a fundamental condition of his role, leading to a breakdown in relations between the parties.
As a result, the Tunisian Football Federation moved to terminate Nafti’s contract unilaterally before he had officially taken up his position. Nafti viewed the decision as an arbitrary breach of contract and subsequently filed a case with CAS seeking compensation for damages.
CAS Ruling: Partial Victory for Nafti
In its verdict, CAS accepted the claim submitted by Nafti on 10 October 2024 in part, recognising the legitimacy of some of his demands. While the court awarded financial compensation, it stopped short of granting all the claims presented by the coach.
The ruling also stipulated that arbitration costs should be divided equally between both parties, with each side responsible for its own legal expenses, including lawyer fees. Other requests from both sides were dismissed, reinforcing the partial nature of the judgment.
A Career Built Across Europe and the Arab World
Nafti’s case has drawn attention partly due to his diverse coaching background. After retiring as a player, he began his managerial career in Spain, progressing through youth-level coaching before moving into the professional ranks.
He went on to manage Levante UD in Spain’s second division and gained further experience across various Spanish leagues. His time in Europe contributed significantly to his tactical development and professional profile.
Beyond Spain, Nafti also worked in the Arab world, notably coaching Al Khor SC in Qatar. These roles helped establish him as a coach with international experience, combining European and regional football knowledge.
Dispute Ends but Questions Remain
The CAS ruling effectively closes the dispute between Nafti and the Tunisian Football Federation, providing financial redress for the premature termination of his contract. However, the case highlights ongoing tensions that can arise over coaching authority and administrative decisions within national teams.
While Nafti did not succeed in all aspects of his claim, the outcome represents a formal acknowledgement of the contractual breach he alleged, bringing a definitive end to a contentious episode before his role had even begun.
