Football club Zimbru Chisinau risks being unable to continue operating due to the financial consequences of a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which requires it to pay more than €1 million. The ruling was issued on October 16, 2026, in a dispute involving Dutch footballer Donny van Iperen.
The case concerns the serious injury sustained by the player on August 6, 2022, during a match against Dinamo-Auto, as well as the club’s contractual obligations towards him.
According to a statement published by FC Zimbru, the amounts set by CAS include compensation for lost earnings and loss of working capacity, medical expenses, and moral damages.
Club representatives argue that the financial obligations imposed by the ruling pose major risks to the club’s continued operations, given the conditions of the football market in the Republic of Moldova.
Circumstances of the Incident and Assistance Provided
On August 6, 2022, during an away match against Dinamo-Auto, Donny van Iperen collided with the opposing goalkeeper and lost consciousness following the impact. The prompt intervention of the club’s doctor played a decisive role in saving the footballer’s life. After receiving first aid, the player was taken to the intensive care unit of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, where he remained hospitalised for approximately two weeks.
During his treatment in the Republic of Moldova, the club organised and covered all expenses for the medical care he required. After his family decided to transfer the footballer to a medical centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, FC Zimbru arranged and fully paid for his medical transportation, including the use of a specialised hyperbaric chamber and a private aircraft.
The club also continued paying the player’s salary until his contract expired. The football community in the Republic of Moldova also provided financial support for his treatment. In particular, FC Sheriff Tiraspol, which played European competition matches at Zimbru Stadium, transferred funds collected from ticket sales to help cover the player’s treatment.
CAS Ruling and Its Financial Consequences
On October 16, 2026, CAS issued a ruling in the case involving Donny van Iperen and FC Zimbru. The arbitration court partially upheld the footballer’s appeal and replaced the earlier decision issued by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber with a new arbitral award.
More specifically, the court found a breach relating to the failure to provide the player with the insurance stipulated in his contract. It awarded compensation for medical expenses and future treatment, loss of working capacity and earnings, moral damages, as well as court and legal costs.
Despite the absence of an insurance policy, FC Zimbru assumed the financial obligations associated with providing the player with medical care in the Republic of Moldova and covered the cost of transporting him to the Netherlands. According to the club, these expenses exceeded the costs that could have been covered by Moldova’s compulsory health insurance.
Consequences for FC Zimbru
The club acknowledges the seriousness of the consequences of Donny van Iperen’s injury and says it is willing to continue discussions on providing him with support. However, it considers the financial obligations established by the CAS ruling disproportionate to its current financial capacity. Enforcing the ruling poses a real risk to the continued operation of FC Zimbru, one of Moldova’s oldest football clubs and an important part of the country’s sporting history.
The club believes that, under the circumstances, the priority should be to engage in good-faith negotiations to identify a possible solution for implementing the CAS ruling.
“This is not just about the future of an organisation, but also about preserving a club with a long history, traditions, and a significant place in Moldovan football,” the club said.