Sundowns Standoff! Ribeiro's Shock Move to Spain Hits Legal Snag!

Ribeiro's Dramatic Exit: A Legal Battle Brews!

Former Mamelodi Sundowns player, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, is at the heart of a fierce legal dispute following his move to Spanish second-tier side Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa. The 26-year-old Brazilian forward unilaterally terminated his contract with Sundowns on 1 August 2025, aiming to exploit the landmark Lassana Diarra ruling to secure a free transfer.

His lawyer, Jean-Louis Dupont, a respected expert in sports and European law, is aggressively pushing for Ribeiro to be declared a free agent and receive his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from Mamelodi Sundowns. Dupont stated that FIFA must allow the player's registration to avoid violating the Diarra ruling.

The ITC Hold-Up: A Critical Obstacle

Sundowns' refusal to release the ITC has escalated the situation, leading to a dispute before FIFA’s Football Tribunal. Ribeiro's camp is arguing that FIFA regulations support his registration. The case hinges on the Diarra ruling, which found FIFA's transfer rules in violation of EU laws regarding worker mobility.

Diarra Ruling: A Game Changer?

The Lassana Diarra case, decided in October 2024, challenged FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP). Ribeiro aims to be the first player to benefit from this ruling in African football, potentially setting a precedent for player mobility and transfer regulations.

What's Next?

• FIFA Tribunal decision on Ribeiro's ITC.
• Potential impact on future player transfers within and from African leagues.
• Sundowns' response to the legal challenge.

The resolution of this dispute is expected to take months. The outcome could significantly impact how player transfers are handled in South Africa and beyond. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.