CAS rejects Galatasaray challenge on Ribery move

BERNE, Apr 25 (Reuters) Galatasaray's bid to challenge the controversial 2005 transfer of Franck Ribery to Olympique Marseille was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) today.

CAS said in a ruling the termination of the French winger's contract with the Turkish side was ''on just grounds and that neither the club nor the player were entitled to any compensation following such termination''.

Ribery joined Galatasaray from French team Metz in January 2005 but left five months later over a pay dispute.

The player said he had not been paid his wages by Galatasaray and asked world football's governing body FIFA to invalidate his contract.

Galatasaray rejected Ribery's claims and said they would seek compensation of at least 13.64 million dollars if he failed to return to the club.

FIFA sided with Ribery and cleared him to play for Marseille in July 2005.

Reuters BJR VV1908