Court bid to overturn suspension of Alberta soccer president fails

Four regional soccer associations have lost their court bid to overturn the suspension of the president of the Alberta Soccer Association (ASA).

In November 2025, JR Figueiredo was suspended for five years for workplace harassment.

A third-party investigation concluded he made verbal threats about an employee and created a hostile work environment.

Four soccer groups — the Edmonton Minor Soccer Association, St. Albert Soccer Association, Battle River Soccer Association and the Calgary Women’s Soccer Association — wanted the suspension lifted.

They argued the provincial body didn’t follow its own bylaws when suspending Figueiredo.

They also got an interim injunction ordering the ASA to postpone a special meeting in December 2025, which was supposed to include a vote by members on whether they supported the suspension or not.

In January, the ASA filed a court application to strike down the injunction and the bid to overturn the suspension.

On Wednesday, Judge Stephanie Wanke of Edmonton’s Court of King’s Bench delivered her decision in favour of the ASA.

She also ordered the four regional soccer associations to cover the ASA’s court costs.

Next steps for ASA?

It’s unclear what the next steps will be for the ASA, or if it will call another membership meeting.

CTV News sent the ASA a request for comment on the decision but has not received a reply.

However, a memo posted on its website, signed by ASA vice president Daniel Bowie, says, in part, “Given the sensitive nature of the complaint against an officer/director of the Alberta Soccer Association, and the governing law in the Province, the Board of Directors has worked to maintain the confidentiality of the complainant and the witnesses involved and requests the membership consider the severity of matters in any future Court proceedings that might be considered in light of this decision.”

The memo also states, “The Alberta Soccer Association is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace pursuant to its legal and fiduciary responsibility.”

You can read the full memo here.