Lecce to take Lameck Banda to FIFA tribunal over contract dispute

Lecce President Saverio Sticchi Damiani has announced that the club will take legal action through FIFA following a contract dispute with Zambian international Lameck Banda. The conflict arose after Banda failed to report for pre-season training and reportedly coordinated with the Libyan club Al Swehli to leave the Italian side without a transfer fee.

Banda is currently under contract with Lecce until June 2027. Although the FIGC blocked Al Swehli’s attempt to register the player, Sticchi Damiani warned that FIFA might grant a ‘provisional transfer’ to avoid anti-community conduct issues, similar to the Lassana Diarra case. This could allow Banda to begin the season playing for the Libyan club ‘abusively’ while the legal battle continues.

Sticchi Damiani refuted claims that the club misled the player regarding a contract extension clause, noting that Banda had previously signed a document agreeing to the option. The Lecce president stated that the club will seek a ruling from a specialized FIFA tribunal, calling for the player to be suspended and the Libyan club to be excluded from transfer negotiations.