Vitus Derungs has more than 20 years of legal experience in national and international contexts.
In addition to his work as a lawyer, his professional career is characterised by responsible positions in renowned companies and leading sports organisations.
Vitus Derungs specializes in contract and employment law, employment placement, and sports law. He advises and represents companies, associations, and individuals in these areas of law and assists in proceedings before authorities, courts, and arbitration tribunals. Clients benefit from comprehensive expertise, practical advice, and an efficient and cost-conscious approach.
In addition to his legal work, Vitus Derungs is Arbitrator at the Swiss Sports Tribunal (SST) and Vice President of the Transfer Committee of the Swiss Football League (SFL). He also regularly publishes articles in renowned professional journals and gives presentations at specialist conferences.
Vitus Derungs is fluent in German, English and French and has knowledge of Italian and Spanish.
Attorney at Law Dr. Vitus Derungs
Attorney at Law
Dr. Vitus Derungs
Phone
E-Mail
Office address
Professional Experience
Independent Lawyer (since 2012)
Grasshopper Club Zurich, General Counsel (2016 to 2020)
FIFA Players’ Status Department, Legal Counsel (2003 to 2009)
Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Ad-hoc Clerk (2009 to 2014)
District Court Winterthur, Clerk (2010/11)
Education
Admission before all Swiss Courts (2012)
Doctorate from the University of Zurich (2011)
Graduation in Law from the Universities of Zurich and Lausanne (2002)
Further Education
Club Management Program of the European Club Association (ECA) (2019)
Finance and Accounting for Lawyers, Certificate of Advanced Studies from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) (2019)
Member of the Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
Member of the Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
Arbitrator at the Swiss Sports Tribunal (SST)
Vice President of the Transfer Committee of the Swiss Football League (SFL)
Board member of the Association Suisse de Droit du Sport (ASDS)
Co-Head of the Zurich Sports Lawyers Network
Member of ZAV Expert Group on Arbitration
Member of ZAV Expert Group on Labour Law
Single Judge of the FIFA Players' Status Committee (until 2021)
Member of the Transfer Expert Group, the Legal Advisory Panel and the Institutional Relations Working Group of the European Club Association (ECA) (until 2019)
«Eine Alternative müsste ein unheimlich guter Wurf sein»
Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ, 23 December 2023, page 16
Swiss Federal Tribunal rules that Sporting Succession is compatible with Public Policy
LawInSport, 15 March 2023
Analysis of the decisions of the Swiss Federal Tribunal in the cases SFT 4A_616/2021 and SFT 4A_246/2022, dealing with the question of compatibility of the concept of sporting succession with public policy, concluding that FIFA’s concept of sporting succession can be considered as tested and approved by the Federal Tribunal.
Sixth Substitution does not necessarily lead to a Forfeit Loss
LawInSport, 22 February 2022
Review of the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case CAS 2021/A/8186 Saipa Football Club v. Peykan Football Club & Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation. Since 2020, the IFAB Laws of the Game allow for five substitutions per team, per match. Therefore, the general understanding to date has been that if a team substitutes a sixth player, it loses the match by forfeit. In the cited case, CAS decided that a sixth substitution does not necessarily lead to a forfeit defeat.
Insolvency of Football Clubs and Sporting Succession
Financial Claim Proceedings before FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Stämpfli Publishers, 2022
The economic collapse of football clubs occurs time and again. Some clubs manage to save themselves by means of financial restructuring measures, others are dissolved and disappear from the scene, and still others resurrect as new clubs, often with colors, crest and a name that are very similar to the dissolved club – so-called “sporting successors”.
Financial claim proceedings against insolvent football clubs and sporting successors before the bodies of FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) raise various complex legal issues. Recently adopted FIFA regulations address some of these issues, others have been answered by the case law of FIFA and CAS.
This book provides legal practitioners with a conclusive overview of the current legal situation concerning financial claim proceedings against insolvent football clubs and sporting successors before FIFA and CAS.
Streitschlichtung vor dem Tribunal Arbitral du Sport
Sports Law, Volume 2, Bern 2017, pages 317 ff.
The first part of this article provides a general overview of the most important features of the proceedings before the Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (CAS). The second part addresses the most significant legal challenges facing the CAS as a system of arbitration in sports. In this context, the Pechstein case is also reviewed, highlighting the conclusions the CAS can draw from this case. (Publication in German)
Protecting underage Football Players in the Transfer System
World Sports Law Report, September 2015, pages 15 ff.
A recent ban imposed on Spanish club Barcelona by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has brought to light the issue of player trafficking. The regulations that govern the transfer of underage football players may have helped curb the illegal inflow of youngsters from Africa and South America, but they fall short of completely preventing player trafficking. The Article discusses the current regulatory regime and highlights existing shortcomings in the system.
Zulässigkeit der disziplinarischen Versetzung eines Profifussballers in die zweite Mannschaft
SpuRt 2015, pages 70 ff.
Brief review of the judgment of the District Court of Dielsdorf of 20 October 2014 in case ET140003.
A disciplinary and de facto indefinite transfer of a professional footballer to the reserve team requires misconduct by the player that has at least been credibly proven and that has reached an intensity that significantly disrupts the operations of the first team. This is especially true because the player has a strong interest in maintaining his playing level and thus his market value, which, however, is not possible in the long term with a youth team. (Publication in German)
Causa Salatic – Der Beschäftigungsanspruch des Berufsfussballspielers
ArbR 2014/2015, pages 17 ff.
Detailed discussion of the judgment of the District Court of Dielsdorf of 20 October 2014 in case ET140003.
The transfer of a professional footballer to the reserve team is usually motivated either by sporting or disciplinary reasons. Regardless of the reason for the transfer, however, it usually conflicts with the player's right to employment, thus with his interest in maintaining his playing skills and, consequently, his market value.
With reference to the judgment in the Salatic case, the article addresses the question of under which formal and material conditions the transfer of a professional football player to the second team is compatible with his right to employment. (Publication in German)
Klub- und verbandsinternes Sanktionswesen
Sports Law, Volume 1, 2013, pages 289 ff.
Sanctions in the world of sport can essentially be based on three different legal bases: Association law, a rule recognition agreement, and labor law. For each of these three bases, this article examines two fundamental questions: What is formally required for submission to the sanctioning power, and what are the substantive limits of the sanctioning power? (Publication in German)
Ausbildungsentschädigung und Solidaritätsbeitrag gemäss dem Reglement der FIFA über den Status und Transfer von Spielern
Sportrecht, Volume 1, 2013, pages 361 ff.
FIFA regulations provide for systems whereby clubs are entitled to financial compensation for the training of young players under certain conditions. The primary goal is to promote the training of young players by clubs in grassroots and elite sports through a financial incentive.
Specifically, there are two different systems: the training compensation and the solidarity mechanism. These systems are based on the principle that a club is entitled to compensation for the training of a player from any other club that hires the player in question immediately after completing his training or later in his career as a professional. (Publication in German)
Weshalb Guardiola Trainer von Bayern München wird
Die Uefa bekämpft mit dem «Financial Fair Play» ruinöses Finanzgebaren im europäischen Klubfussball
Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ, May 4, 2013, page 52
Financial Fair Play – Die Vorschriften der UEFA zum Klub-Monitoring
Causa Sport 2/2013, pages 122 ff.
For years, football clubs in Europe's top leagues have been reporting massive and significantly increasing financial losses. UEFA is therefore tightening its club licensing regulations and introducing new rules for club monitoring.
This article focuses on club monitoring. This is intended to force clubs to exercise greater financial discipline and economic prudence through the break-even rule. Simply put, clubs should only be allowed to spend on player salaries and transfers what they earn from broadcasting rights, sponsorship, advertising, stadium admissions, and transfers. This is intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of the European football system.
This article discusses the most important material aspects of club monitoring and the principles of the monitoring process. (Publication in German)
Ausbildungsentschädigungen im Fussball und Eishockey
Eine Betrachtung der Bestimmungen über die Ausbildungsentschädigung im organisierten internationalen und schweizerischen Fussball- und Eishockeysport
Doctoral thesis, 2011
Many sports associations have enacted regulations regarding training compensation. However, mandatory law sets limits for sports associations when enacting such regulations. But where exactly are these limits? The first part of this dissertation will identify these limits based on the most important relevant court rulings.
The application of training compensation regulations is becoming increasingly challenging due to complex regulations, frequent revisions, and extensive case law. Furthermore, it is difficult to find sound and comprehensive information on this topic. To fill this gap in the literature, the second part of this dissertation provides a comprehensive commentary on the training compensation models of FIFA, the Swiss Football Association, the Swiss Football League, and the Swiss Ice Hockey Association.
Finally, it is examined whether the commented training compensation models comply with the limits of mandatory law. (Publication in German)
From Eastham to Bernard
An Overview of the Development of Civil Jurisprudence on Transfer and Training Compensation
Sports Law and Policy Centre, 2010, pages 105 ff.
When issuing rules about transfer and training compensation, sports associations always act in a field of tension between their freedom of association and mandatory civil law. The article presents an overview on the jurisprudence of civil courts regarding rules of sports associations about transfer and training compensation, ranging from the Eastham case of the High Court of Wales and England in 1963 to the Bernard case of the European Court of Justice in 2010.
Practical Matters: Proceeding before the Swiss Sports Tribunal (Moderation of a Panel)
Association Suisse de Droit du Sport (ASDS), Sports Law Conference
BCF Arena, Fribourg, 31 October 2025
Arbeitsrecht im Fussball
Lawstyle Education, 3rd New Year's Conference on Employment Law
Widder Hotel, Zurich, 21 January 2025
Der Fall Diarra
Swiss Football Agents Association (SFAA), General Assembly
FC Zurich Training Center, Zurich, 18 December 2024
Practical Matters and New Challenges in International Transfers of Football Players (Moderation of a Panel)
Association Suisse de Droit du Sport (ASDS), 11th Sports Law Days
Swiss Olympic Sport Center, Magglingen, 28 November 2024
FIFA Spielervermittler-Reglement in der Praxis
Swiss Football Agents Association (SFAA), General Assembly
Alter Löwen, Uitikon-Waldegg, 30 October 2023
FIFA Spielervermittler-Reglement
Swiss Football Agents Association (SFAA), General Assembly
Campus Grasshopper Club Zurich, 27 April 2023
FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) and FIFA Statutes
Swiss Football Business School (SFBS), Agent exam preparation
Stade Olympique, Lausanne, 14 April 2023
Financial Fair Play, Insolvency and Sporting Succession
Programa de Formação Jurídica para o Futebol
CBF Academy, 3 September 2022
FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) in Covid-19 times
Birkbeck University of London, Sport Management Program
Birkbeck University, 19 June 2020
Regulation of the international player transfer market: The European Club Association (ECA) perspective
UEFA, Executive Master for International Players (MIP)
London, March 28, 2018
Fussball & Recht: Juniorenspieler, TPO-Verbot und Spielervermittler
Swiss Football Agents Association (SFAA), General Assembly
Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, 4 Dezember 2017
Club- und Verbandsinternes Sanktionswesen
University of St. Gallen, Institute of Law
SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich, May 26, 2010
Legal Issues in relation to the International Transfer of a Football Player
The International Congress on Science and Football, Iran
Tehran, 1 November 2009
Les principes du FIFA Règlement du Statut et du Transfert des Joueurs
Cheikh Ante Diop University of Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, 20 May 20 2009
Phone
E-Mail
Office address
Professional experience
-
Independent lawyer (since 2012)
-
Grasshopper Club Zurich, General Counsel (2016 to 2020)
-
FIFA Players’ Status Department, Legal Counsel (2003 bis 2009)
-
Court of Arbitration for Sport, Ad-hoc Clerk (CAS) (2009 to 2014)
-
District Court Winterthur, Clerk (2010/11)
Education
-
Admission before all Swiss Courts (2012)
-
Doctorate from the University of Zurich (2011)
-
Graduation in Law from the Universities of Zurich and Lausanne (2002)
Further Education
-
Club Management Program of the European Club Association (ECA) (2019)
-
Finance and Accounting for Lawyers, Certificate of Advanced Studies from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) (2019)
-
-
Member of the Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
-
Member of the Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
-
Arbitrator at the Swiss Sports Tribunal (SST)
-
Vice President of the Transfer Committee of the Swiss Football League (SFL)
-
Board member of the Association Suisse de Droit du Sport (ASDS)
-
Co-Head of the Zurich Sports Lawyers Network
-
Member of the ZAV Expert Group on Arbitration
-
Member of the ZAV Expert Group on Labour Law
-
Single Judge of the FIFA Players' Status Committee (until 2021)
-
Member of the Transfer Expert Group, the Legal Advisory Panel and the Institutional Relations Working Group of the European Club Association (ECA) (until 2019)
-
«Eine Alternative müsste ein unheimlich guter Wurf sein»
Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ, 23 December 2023, page 16
Swiss Federal Tribunal rules that Sporting Succession is compatible with Public Policy
LawInSport, 15 March 2023
Analysis of the decisions of the Swiss Federal Tribunal in the cases SFT 4A_616/2021 and SFT 4A_246/2022, dealing with the question of compatibility of the concept of sporting succession with public policy, concluding that FIFA’s concept of sporting succession can be considered as tested and approved by the Federal Tribunal.
Sixth Substitution does not necessarily lead to a Forfeit Loss
LawInSport, 22 February 2022
Review of the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the case CAS 2021/A/8186 Saipa Football Club v. Peykan Football Club & Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation. Since 2020, the IFAB Laws of the Game allow for five substitutions per team, per match. Therefore, the general understanding to date has been that if a team substitutes a sixth player, it loses the match by forfeit. In the cited case, CAS decided that a sixth substitution does not necessarily lead to a forfeit defeat.
Insolvency of Football Clubs and Sporting Succession
Financial Claim Proceedings before FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport
Stämpfli Publishers, 2022
The economic collapse of football clubs occurs time and again. Some clubs manage to save themselves by means of financial restructuring measures, others are dissolved and disappear from the scene, and still others resurrect as new clubs, often with colours, crest and a name that are very similar to the dissolved club – so-called “sporting successors”.
Financial claim proceedings against insolvent football clubs and sporting successors before the bodies of FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) raise various complex legal issues. Recently adopted FIFA regulations address some of these issues, others have been answered by the case law of FIFA and CAS.
This book provides legal practitioners with a conclusive overview of the current legal situation concerning financial claim proceedings against insolvent football clubs and sporting successors before FIFA and CAS.
Streitschlichtung vor dem Tribunal Arbitral du Sport
Sports Law, Volume 2, Berne 2017, pages 317 ff.
The first part of this article provides a general overview of the most important features of the proceedings before the Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (CAS). The second part addresses the most significant legal challenges facing the CAS as a system of arbitration in sports. In this context, the Pechstein case is also reviewed, highlighting the conclusions the CAS can draw from this case (publication in German).
Protecting underage football players in the transfer system
World Sports Law Report, September 2015, pages 15 ff.
A recent ban imposed on Spanish club Barcelona by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has brought to light the issue of player trafficking. The regulations that govern the transfer of underage football players may have helped curb the illegal inflow of youngsters from Africa and South America, but they fall short of completely preventing player trafficking. The Article discusses the current regulatory regime and highlights existing shortcomings in the system.
Zulässigkeit der disziplinarischen Versetzung eines Profifussballers in die zweite Mannschaft
SpuRt 2015, pages 70 ff.
Brief review of the judgment of the District Court of Dielsdorf of 20 October 2014 in case ET140003.
A disciplinary and de facto indefinite transfer of a professional footballer to the reserve team requires misconduct by the player that has at least been credibly proven and that has reached an intensity that significantly disrupts the operations of the first team. This is especially true because the player has a strong interest in maintaining his playing level and thus his market value, which, however, is not possible in the long term with a youth team (Publication in German).
Causa Salatic – Der Beschäftigungsanspruch des Berufsfussballspielers
ArbR 2014/2015, pages 17 ff.
Detailed discussion of the judgment of the District Court of Dielsdorf of 20 October 2014 in case ET140003.
The transfer of a professional footballer to the reserve team is usually motivated either by sporting or disciplinary reasons. Regardless of the reason for the transfer, however, it usually conflicts with the player's right to employment, thus with his interest in maintaining his playing skills and, consequently, his market value.
With reference to the judgment in the Salatic case, the article addresses the question of under which formal and material conditions the transfer of a professional football player to the second team is compatible with his right to employment (Publication in German).
Klub- und verbandsinternes Santionswesen
Sports Law, Volume 1, 2013, pages 289 ff.
Sanctions in the world of sport can essentially be based on three different legal bases: Association law, a rule recognition agreement, and labor law. For each of these three bases, this article examines two fundamental questions: What is formally required for submission to the sanctioning power, and what are the substantive limits of the sanctioning power? (Publication German)
Ausbildungsentschädigung und Solidaritätsbeitrag gemäss dem Reglement der FIFA über den Status und Transfer von Spielern
Sports Law, Volume 1, 2013, pages 361 ff.
FIFA regulations provide for systems whereby clubs are entitled to financial compensation for the training of young players under certain conditions. The primary goal is to promote the training of young players by clubs in grassroots and elite sports through a financial incentive.
Specifically, there are two different systems: the training compensation mechanism and the solidarity mechanism. These systems are based on the principle that a club is entitled to compensation for the training of a player from any other club that hires the player in question immediately after completing his training or later in his career as a professional (Publication in German).
Weshalb Guardiola Trainer von Bayern München wird
Die Uefa bekämpft mit dem «Financial Fair Play» ruinöses Finanzgebaren im europäischen Klubfussball
Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ, 4 May 2013, page 52
Financial Fair Play – Die Vorschriften der UEFA zum Klub-Monitoring
Causa Sport 2/2013, pages 122 ff.
For years, football clubs in Europe's top leagues have been reporting massive and significantly increasing financial losses. UEFA is therefore tightening its club licensing regulations and introducing new rules for club monitoring.
This article focuses on club monitoring. This is intended to force clubs to exercise greater financial discipline and economic prudence through the break-even rule. Simply put, clubs should only be allowed to spend on player salaries and transfers what they earn from broadcasting rights, sponsorship, advertising, stadium admissions, and transfers. This is intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of the European football system.
This article discusses the most important material aspects of club monitoring and the principles of the monitoring process (Publication in German).
Ausbildungsentschädigungen im Fussball und Eishockey
Eine Betrachtung der Bestimmungen über die Ausbildungsentschädigung im organisierten internationalen und schweizerischen Fussball- und Eishockeysport
Doctoral Thesis, 2011
Many sports associations have enacted regulations regarding training compensation. However, mandatory law sets limits for sports associations when enacting such regulations. But where exactly are these limits? The first part of this dissertation will identify these limits based on the most important relevant court rulings.
The application of training compensation regulations is becoming increasingly complex due to complex regulations, frequent revisions, and extensive case law. Furthermore, it is difficult to find sound and comprehensive information on this topic. To fill this gap in the literature, the second part of this dissertation provides a comprehensive commentary on the training compensation models of FIFA, the Swiss Football Association, the Swiss Football League, and the Swiss Ice Hockey Association.
Finally, it is examined whether the commented training compensation models comply with the limits of mandatory law (Publication in German).
From Eastham to Bernard
An Overview of the Development of Civil Jurisprudence on Transfer and Training Compensation
Sports Law and Policy Centre, 2010, pages 105 ff.
When issuing rules about transfer and training compensation, sports associations always act in a field of tension between their freedom of association and mandatory civil law. The article presents an overview on the jurisprudence of civil courts regarding rules of sports associations about transfer and training compensation, ranging from the Eastham case of the High Court of Wales and England in 1963 to the Bernard case of the European Court of Justice in 2010.
Arbeitsrecht im Fussball
Lawstyle Education, 3rd New Year's Conference on Employment Law
Widder Hotel, Zurich, 21 January 2025
Der Fall Diarra
Swiss Football Agents Association (SFAA), General Assembly
FC Zurich Training Center, Zurich, 18 December 2024
Practical Matters and New Challenges in International Transfers of Football Players
Association Suisse de Droit du Sport (ASDS), 11. Sportrechtstage
Swiss Olympic Sport Center, Magglingen, 28 November 2024
FIFA Spielervermittler-Reglement in der Praxis
Swiss Football Agents Association (SFAA), General Assembly
Alter Löwen, Uitikon-Waldegg, 30 Oktober 2023
FIFA Spielervermittler-Reglement
Swiss Football Agents Association (SFAA), General Assembly
Campus Grasshopper Club Zürich, 27 April 2023
FIFA Football Agents Regulations (FFAR) and FIFA Statutes
Swiss Football Business School (SFBS), Agent exam preparation
Stade Olympique, Lausanne, 14 April 2023
Financial Fairplay, Insolvency and Sporting Succession
Programa de Formação Jurídica para o Futebol
CBF Academy, 3 September 2022
FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) in Covid-19 times
Birkbeck University of London, Sport Management Programme
Birkbeck University, 19 June 2020
Regulation of the international player transfer market: The European Club Association (ECA) perspective
UEFA, Executive Master for International Players (MIP)
London, 28 März 2018
Fussball & Recht: Juniorenspieler, TPO-Verbot und Spielervermittler
Swiss Football Agents Association (SFAA), General Assembly
Letzigrund Stadium, Zurich, 4 December 2017
Club- und Verbandsinternes Sanktionswesen
University of St. Gallen, Institute for Legal Siences
SIX ConventionPoint, Zurich, 26 May 2010
Legal issues in relation with the international transfer of a football player
The International Congress on Science and Football, Iran
Tehran, 1 November 2009
Les principes du FIFA Règlement du Statut et du Transfert des Joueurs
Université Cheikh Ante Diop de Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, 20 Mai 2009