Dundee United will have their day in court as they aim to avoid paying a pile of Euros for former player Damian Casalinuovo.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will meet in Lausanne, Switzerland on Thursday to decide the Tangerines’ fate.
A FIFA tribunal initially ruled that they should pay 400,000 Euros to Argentinian club Velez Sarsfield, whom Casalinuovo was with before moving to Scotland in 2009.
That figure was subsequently reduced by a second tribunal to 230,000 Euros just under £200,000.
However, the Tannadice team are contesting that decision, too, arguing that he was a free agent. The legal path has now led them to the CAS.
United chairman Stephen Thompson confirmed: “There is a hearing in Lausanne on Thursday regarding Damian Casalinuovo. This is a big deal for us but we believe we have a strong case. It has taken a lot of time and money to get to this stage.
“The whole thing has been a nightmare and we’re just hoping for a favourable verdict. Damian himself has said he doesn’t believe Sarsfield should be due anything because they were the ones who released him years ago.”
Casalinuovo, who has now retired from the game because of injury, was as surprised as anyone to learn of Sarsfield’s cash claim. He has met United’s lawyers and vowed to help his old club all he can in their bid to get a CAS ruling in their favour.
“I hope United don’t have to pay anything. Sarsfield released me from my contract there and after that I signed for United,” he said.
“I was a free agent, they released me and when I left they didn’t say they would look for a fee in the future.”
It is understood that, even before a word has been uttered in the Swiss courtroom, the matter has cost the Tangerines somewhere in the region of £75,000 in legal fees and other costs.
Buenos Aires-born frontman Casalinuovo (26) played just 25 times for United, scoring seven goals, before going on to play for both Hamilton Accies and Raith Rovers.