Brazilian Forward Takes Mamelodi Sundowns to FIFA

Lucas Ribeiro has taken legal action against Mamelodi Sundowns after they blocked his Qatar move, leaning on the Lassana Diarra ruling to push his case at FIFA.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who featured in all three of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Club World Cup matches, has terminated his contract with the club, aiming to be the first player to leverage Lassana Diarra’s recent legal victory against FIFA.

The Brazilian forward, whose strike against Borussia Dortmund in June was voted the best goal of the FIFA Club World Cup, has taken his case to world football’s governing body.

The 26-year-old is represented by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, renowned for his work on the landmark 1995 Jean-Marc Bosman case and who also represents Lassana Diarra.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

The former France midfielder has been in a prolonged legal battle with FIFA. In October, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that some of FIFA’s transfer regulations violate European Union law.

The case stemmed from Diarra’s contract termination with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2014. FIFA subsequently refused to issue an international transfer certificate (ITC) for his proposed move to Belgian club Charleroi in 2015.

The CJEU found that FIFA’s rules “impede the free movement of professional footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club.”

In response, FIFA has amended its transfer regulations. Meanwhile, Diarra has resumed legal proceedings seeking £56 million in compensation, and a class-action lawsuit has been launched against FIFA and several European football associations by Justice for Players.

According to the BBC Sport, Qatar SC made an offer for Ribeiro that was ‘well above the player’s valuation,’ and the player was keen to join the Qatari top-flight club.

The lawyer claims the South African champions ‘attempted to drive up the price, again and again, in an unreasonable manner, without any regard for the player’s personal interests, which made the deal impossible.’

As a result, Ribeiro terminated his contract, which was set to run until 2028, on August 1. The statement argues that the former Charleroi and Beveren player has ‘no other choice’ but to defend his interests before a FIFA tribunal.

“Following the Diarra ruling by the CJEU, there is no doubt that the dispute between me and my former club will not prevent me from continuing my career with peace of mind,” Ribeiro stated.

“Indeed, following its own regulations (as amended in light of the Diarra judgement), FIFA will see to it that the international transfer certificate be immediately delivered upon request by my future employer.

“I will now consider what is best for the future of my career in order to make the right choice. As a reminder, following the Diarra ruling, my next employer will not be involved in the dispute between me and Mamelodi Sundowns, neither from a disciplinary perspective nor financially.”

The statement confirms Ribeiro’s readiness to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport or a state court if necessary, noting that he has already attracted interest from various clubs, including some in Europe.