Plea Bargain (application of a Sanction by Mutual Consent)
1. At any time during the investigation, but at the latest when the case is about to be decided by the adjudicatory chamber or before the hearing as provided for by article 76 of this Code, the parties may enter into an agreement with the chairperson of the investigatory chamber for the application of a sanction by mutual consent.
2. Should the chairperson of the adjudicatory chamber consider that the agreement complies with this Code and the sanction settled is correctly applied, the agreement becomes immediately effective and the settled sanction becomes final and binding, and is not subject to any further appeal.
3. Should any monetary sanction provided by the plea agreement not be fully executed by the party concerned within 15 days of the date of the decision, the agreement is automatically revoked.
4. Should any compliance training and/or community football service provided by the plea agreement not be fully executed by the party concerned within the terms established within the agreement, the agreement is automatically revoked.
5. Whenever a plea agreement is revoked, the adjudicatory chamber shall decide the case within the 60 days that follow on the basis of the file, and no further plea agreement will be allowed between the parties concerned and the chairperson of the investigatory chamber.
6. No plea agreement shall be allowed concerning sanctions related to the protection of physical and mental integrity, or related to offences of bribery and corruption, misappropriation and misuse of funds, and manipulation of football matches or competitions, unless the party concerned provides substantial assistance. Substantial assistance may be considered where the relevant party:
- a. fully disclosed in a signed written statement or recorded interview all the information they possess in relation to the infringement(s); and
- b. fully cooperated with the investigation and adjudication of any case or matter related to the information provided, including but not limited to presenting a testimony at a hearing if requested to do so by FIFA or the relevant deciding panel;
- c. provided credible information which constitutes a significant part of a case or proceeding subsequently initiated or, at least, which would have provided a sufficient basis on which to initiate a case or proceeding. Notwithstanding the above, in cases of sexual abuse, no plea agreement shall be allowed with the principal actors or any other person directly participating in such conduct.