Rosenstein takes FIDE rules dispute to CAS
By Robby B. · Wed, 23 Sep 2026
Wadim Rosenstein has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking an independent review of how FIDE’s existing sanctions rules should be applied consistently in its presidential election.
Wadim Rosenstein has taken the next step in his challenge over the application of FIDE’s sanctions rules, filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne ahead of the September 26 FIDE presidential election.At the heart of Rosenstein’s appeal is a straightforward question of governance: should rules adopted by FIDE apply consistently to everyone? His case focuses on a March 2022 FIDE Council decision stating that sanctioned individuals would not be permitted to hold honorary or official positions within FIDE or attend official FIDE events. FIDE’s own published record confirms that the Council adopted this decision.Rosenstein argues that the FIDE Electoral Commission did not address this 2022 decision when considering his complaint concerning Timur Turlov’s eligibility. His appeal asks CAS to independently examine how the existing rule should apply, including in relation to Turlov and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.Importantly, Rosenstein says the appeal is not about personalities or an attempt to rewrite the rules during an election. Instead, he frames it as an effort to seek an independent legal interpretation of rules that FIDE itself has already adopted.With the election approaching, the CAS appeal puts the issue of consistency, transparency and the application of FIDE’s own regulations firmly on the agenda. The arguments remain Rosenstein’s position at this stage and have not yet been determined by the court.