How sanctions work

How CAS appeals work

The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne hears appeals against decisions of sports bodies and anti-doping organisations. Athletes, anti-doping agencies, federations and WADA can all appeal, so a ban can go up as well as down.

• CAS says an appeal can be filed only once the internal remedies of the sports organisation are exhausted, and requires a written arbitration clause in the body's rules.^1,2
• Panels are made up of three arbitrators or a sole arbitrator. CAS says appeals take on average six to nine months.^1,2
• CAS says "All awards for Appeals procedures are published, unless Parties request confidentiality or a redaction."²
• CAS awards can be reviewed by the Swiss Federal Tribunal only on limited grounds, such as improper constitution of the panel or violation of the right to be heard. CAS says about 6 percent of decisions are appealed there each year.¹
• USADA explains that the athlete, USADA, WADA or the international federation can appeal a US arbitration decision to CAS.³
• Appeals can increase sanctions. CAS raised Mario Vuskovic's ban from two to four years, and imposed four years on Erriyon Knighton after a first instance finding of no fault.^4,5
• CAS also runs an Anti-Doping Division, which acts as a first instance body in some cases.^1,2

Sources

1. Court of Arbitration for Sport, How CAS works (2026)
2. Court of Arbitration for Sport, Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
3. USADA, Results Management (2026)
4. Court of Arbitration for Sport, Four year period of ineligibility imposed on Mario Vuskovic, CAS media release (27 August 2024)
5. Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS upholds appeals by World Athletics and WADA to impose 4 year ban on sprinter Erriyon Knighton (USA) (12 September 2025)