Zambia international Lameck Banda has become the subject of a legal dispute between former club Lecce and Saudi Arabian side Al-Swehly following his departure from the Italian club.
Lecce have taken the matter to FIFA, challenging Banda’s decision to terminate his contract and arguing that he had no “just cause” to end the agreement.
The Serie A club is also seeking action against Al-Swehly, alleging that the Saudi club encouraged the player to end his contract.
Lecce are asking for disciplinary measures against both Banda and Al-Swehly under FIFA regulations.
The dispute represents a significant escalation following Banda’s departure from Italy and could result in financial and sporting consequences for the parties involved, depending on the decisions of the relevant authorities.
Lecce announced on Friday, 28 August, that it had begun several legal procedures in response to what it described as the unilateral termination of Banda’s contract.
The club has instructed its lawyers to pursue the case before the appropriate FIFA tribunal.
Its main objective is to establish that the Zambian winger did not have sufficient grounds to terminate his agreement.
Lecce is seeking compensation for what it considers to be losses resulting from Banda’s departure. The club also wants the authorities to determine whether Al-Swehly played a role in the termination.
The Saudi Arabian club has therefore been brought directly into the dispute, with Lecce claiming it may have contributed to Banda’s decision to leave.
The Italian side has also turned to another legal avenue available under Italian football’s collective agreement.
Proceedings have been opened before the arbitration panel established through the agreement involving the Italian Football Federation, Lega Serie A and the Italian Footballers’ Association.
That case will examine whether Banda breached his contractual obligations to Lecce.
The Italian club says it believes it is entitled to stop paying the player’s salary from 1 July 2026 and is asking for the financial sanctions provided for under the collective bargaining agreement.
The dispute has also extended to social media.
Lecce says it reported Al-Swehly to the relevant authorities over the use of Banda’s images in a video published online on 21 August.
According to Lecce, the footage showed the Zambian footballer playing during the previous season and was used by Al-Swehly without the necessary rights.
Banda, known as Pippi, is a Zambian professional footballer who plays as a left winger for the Zambia national team.
His departure from Lecce has therefore not ended his association with the Italian club. Instead, it has opened a new chapter in a dispute that will now be examined by football’s governing and arbitration bodies.
For Lecce, the legal proceedings are intended to protect the club’s financial and sporting interests. The Italian side wants the circumstances surrounding Banda’s exit formally examined and any responsibility established.
The involvement of Al-Swehly adds another dimension to the case, particularly because Lecce is seeking sanctions against the Saudi club as well as the player.
The FIFA proceedings and the separate Italian arbitration process could take time to resolve, leaving Banda’s move away from Lecce overshadowed by an ongoing contractual dispute.
