The sensational transfer of Lucas Ribeiro Costa, leaving Mamelodi Sundowns as a free agent to join Spanish club CyD Leonesa has been cleared as legal by FIFA – however, the saga is far from over.
On Friday, following the decision handed down by FIFA, Costa received the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) allowing him to play in official competitions for his new club, Cultural Leonesa, with immediate effect.
This follows from the Brazilian terminating his contract on 1 August with Mamelodi Sundowns, citing ‘just cause’ for preventing his potential transfer to Qatar SC in which Sundowns have been accused of pricing him out of the deal – and based on the recent DIARRA ruling by the CJEU.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) Footballer of the season went on to sign a one-year deal with Spanish club Cultural Leonesa on 31 August – where he was officially unveiled by the Liga 2 club on Friday.
In an official statement from received by iDiski Times from his legal representitives Dupont Hissel, they stated;
“The merits of the dispute between Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Mamelodi Sundowns FC will now be heard and decided, in the first instance, by the FIFA Football Tribunal and, if necessary, on appeal, by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“These proceedings will be conducted in a calm manner and will in no way interfere with Lucas RIBEIRO COSTA’s ability to practise his profession in Spain.
“It should be noted that these proceedings only concern Lucas RIBEIRO COSTA and Mamelodi Sundowns FC, but not his new club, Clutural Leonesa. According to standard practice, such proceedings are expected to last between one and two years.”
Costa racked up 88 appearances for Sundowns, scoring 37 goals with 23 assists to his name in all competitions after his arrival from SSK Beveren in 2023.
Story by Lorenz Kohler (@Lorenz_KO).
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
