The CSA has given all those involved with bringing actions before the Alberta Courts final notice to originators of legal action 1003-11792 to withdraw/discontinue legal action by Nov 12, 2010, failing which the CSA will sanction each of the parties as it deems fit. The decision was resolved by the CSA Board of Directors at a 7^th Nov,2010 teleconference board meeting.

Attached to the fax is a copy of a letter from Markus Kattner, Deputy Secretary General, FIFA. The letter from FIFA gives support to the CSA proposal to bring all claimants at the origin of the Alberta jursidiction award before the CSA Disciplinary Commission.

The letter from FIFA is addressed to Mr Maestracci and is as follows:

We refer to the situation of the Alberta Soccer Association characterized by internal wrangles and the fact that some people decided to seize the Alberta jurisdiction which in turn nominated two caretakers in charge of running the said association. This situation is of most concern for FIFA as the seizure of an ordinary court is prohibited by the FIFA Statues (article 64 par.2) and it is not admissible to have people nominated by a third party at the head of the Alberta Soccer Association as it violates article 17 par.1 of the same statues. Under these circumstances, we agree with your proposal to bring all the claimants at the origin of the Alberta jurisdiction award before the CSA Disciplinary Commission. We also remind you that all FIFA members must ensure that their own members comply with the FIFA Statues (article 13 par.1(d) ) and we therefore ask you to sanction the Alberta Soccer Association in compliance with article 15 par.2 of the FIFA Statues. We suggest that you give a final deadline to the concerned persons to give them a last possibility to withdraw the case. You should then proceed with the sanctions against these persons and against your member. We hope that you will be able to solve rapidly the current problems and do not hesitate to contact us in case you need additional assistance.

I guess this lays to rest any questions regarding where the CSA board stands. But does it change anything? I assume that those who brought the actions to the courts knew that FIFA and CSA would not be happy and that sanctions/suspensions would be possible. Whether they thought it would actually happen or not I am not sure. All this letter does is continue the threat. Although I do wonder how the CSA 'characterized' the 'situation' to FIFA.

I am not sure if it is possible but I think the Districts should withdraw their court action. Specifically, action 1003-11792. It is very important that the 3 districts filing this action be able to cast their votes at the next general meeting, scheduled or mandated by the courts. Remember these 3 Districts account for about 15% of the total votes. It is important not to get caught up in the battle and forget about the war.  The other action, 1003-11662, brought by Mr Billings, Ms. Aab, Mr Bowie, Mr Hodges and Mr Troke should continue. Harsh? Easy for me to say? Yeah, it is. But I think that this course of action maintains the most available options going forward.

Link to FIFA statues is here.

Added - 2010.11.08 - CSA Letter regarding sanctions