On behalf of Ms Mathilda Karlsson and the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association we wish to react to the FEI communique of 17 June 2020 following the issue of the decision of the FEI Tribunal (case A20-0003) dated 16 June 2020 (the “FEI Tribunal Decision”) regarding their appeal against the cancellation of the Longines and Olympic Rankings of the Villeneuve-Loubet Events 2019/2020.
As a vivid equestrian and as an athlete Ms Karlsson disagrees with the outcome of the FEI Tribunal Decision. Ms Karlsson and the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association consider it unjust that despite the fact that the FEI Tribunal ruled that: “It remains undisputed that the riders bore no fault for these violations and did not violate the rules themselves.” it was still Ms Karlsson who has been sanctioned whereas the parties who – in the view of the FEI Tribunal – committed a breach of the FEI rules and regulations (like for instance the FEI itself and the French Federation) got away with it.
Ms Karlsson and the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association shall appeal against the FEI Tribunal Decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne. The fundamental question to be answered in the appeal is whether it is equitable to sanction Ms Karlsson for the alleged mistakes of third parties like the FEI and the French Federation and whether there are more equitable outcomes to this case. Ms Karlsson and the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association are of view that the FEI Tribunal Decision contradicts the established law case of CAS in comparable matters.
Ms Karlsson and the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association sincerely hope that justice shall prevail.
For further information please contact: Luc Schelstraete and Piotr Wawrzyniak, counsels of Ms Karlsson and the Sri Lanka Equestrian Association.
