started · updated
Lameck Banda missing as US Lecce worries over Zambian winger
Lameck Banda, a 25‑year‑old Zambian winger for Serie A club US Lecce, has been out of contact for more than two weeks. The last confirmed sighting was on 23 July at Lusaka airport with his wife, after which the player vanished and has not responded to calls from the club, his agents or teammates.
US Lecce says the club exercised a unilateral contract‑extension clause, keeping Banda under contract until 2027. The club warned that disciplinary sanctions, a possible salary reduction and even a claim for damages could follow the unexplained absence. Reports link the disappearance to a blocked transfer to Saudi club Al‑Fateh and to alleged contractual disputes: Banda claims the extension was signed without his full understanding and that a month’s salary was not paid.
Banda has posted Instagram Stories showing himself training in a Zambian gym, confirming he is alive and in good health, but he has indicated he will not return to Lecce. The club’s sporting director Stefano Trinchera and president Saverio Sticchi Damiani have expressed deep concern, fearing the situation may involve personal matters beyond football.
Entities
Al-Fateh · Al-Fateh SC · Al‑Fateh · Al‑Fateh SC · Eusebio Di Francesco · Lameck Banda · Saverio Sticchi Damiani · Serie A · Stefano Trinchera · US Lecce
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] Lameck Banda has not been seen by Lecce or his agents for over two weeks. sportowefakty.wp.pl · www.ilpost.it · www.marca.com · www.vg.no · www.tuttonapoli.net · +4 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The last confirmed sighting of Banda was at Lusaka airport on 23 July. www.marca.com · www.vg.no · www.polsatsport.pl · www.ilpost.it · www.notizie.it · +2 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] Lecce exercised a unilateral contract extension, keeping Banda under contract until 2027. sportowefakty.wp.pl · www.polsatsport.pl · www.ilpost.it · www.calciolecce.it · www.laziopress.it · +6 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Lecce warned that Banda could face disciplinary action for breaching his contract. sportowefakty.wp.pl · www.ilpost.it · www.tuttonapoli.net · www.marca.com · www.vg.no · +3 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Banda was linked to a possible transfer to Saudi club Al‑Fateh, which was blocked by Lecce's contract extension. www.ilpost.it · www.polsatsport.pl · www.vg.no · www.marca.com · www.calciolecce.it · +2 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Banda posted Instagram videos showing he was training in Zambia and said he was fine. www.calciolecce.it · europacalcio.it · www.tuttonapoli.net · www.laziopress.it · www.notizie.it · +4 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] No official explanation for his absence has been provided by the player or his agents. www.notizie.it · www.sport.pl · www.ilpost.it · www.marca.com · www.laziopress.it · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The last confirmed sighting of Banda was at Lusaka airport on 23 July with his wife. www.notizie.it · www.sport.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A potential transfer to Saudi club Al‑Fateh fell through and the club no longer pursues the player. www.notizie.it
- [● 7 SOURCES] Lameck Banda, a 25‑year‑old Zambian winger for US Lecce, has been missing for over two weeks. www.pressen.se · www.notizie.it · www.sport.pl · www.ilpost.it · www.marca.com · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] US Lecce’s sporting director Stefano Trinchera said the club has had no contact with Banda for two weeks. www.notizie.it · www.sport.pl
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Banda posted gym‑workout videos on Instagram Stories, confirming he is alive. www.sport.pl