Lecce does not let up: club demands compensation for illegal use of Lameck Banda's images
The Italian club has announced a series of legal actions against the Zambian midfielder and his new team from Libya. The dispute centers on breach of contract and the unauthorized use of the player's images.
Lecce is stepping up its fight against Lameck Banda. The Italian club has published a sharp statement announcing a series of legal actions taken against the Zambian, a former Maccabi Netanya and Maccabi Petah Tikva player. As previously reported, Banda left Lecce and was spotted at the training camp of Al-Sweihli. The Libyan club is reportedly offering him 1.6 million euros per season, while Lecce maintains that the midfielder is under contract for another year and that they are entitled to compensation.
Lecce announced that through its lawyers it has turned to the FIFA tribunal as well as the Court of Arbitration for Sport to protect its rights. The club demands a ruling that the unilateral termination of the contract by Banda was done without just cause and seeks to hold Al-Sweihli responsible for allegedly inducing the player to make the move.
As part of the proceedings at FIFA, Lecce is demanding compensation for all damages incurred and future losses, while also requesting the application of disciplinary sanctions provided for in FIFA regulations against both Banda and the Libyan club. Lecce's struggle extends beyond the contract; the club claims that Al-Sweihli used photos of Banda without permission in a video published on their social media channels on August 21.
At the same time, the Italian club has initiated proceedings before the arbitration court of the Italian Football Federation, in accordance with the collective agreement between the federation, the league, and the players' union. The purpose of this action is to establish that Banda breached his contractual obligations, which could allow Lecce to cease salary payments starting July 1, 2026, and potentially impose financial penalties.
The affair began in July when Banda failed to report to Lecce's training camp in Austria. The situation escalated into a sharp conflict after Banda claimed his contract had been extended illegally. While FIFA has approved Banda's registration in Libya, the legal battle over compensation is expected to be lengthy.
