FIFA has ordered Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa to pay Mamelodi Sundowns $4m (approximately GH₵46.88 million) in compensation after ruling that he breached his contract with the South African champions.
The decision was made by the FIFA Football Tribunal following a dispute that began when Ribeiro ended his contract with Sundowns without the club’s agreement.
The 26-year-old enjoyed an outstanding 2024-25 season with Sundowns, going ahead to win the Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Season award and the Golden Boot.
He also represented the club at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he won the Goal of the Tournament award.
Ribeiro later sought to leave Sundowns for a move abroad and has since joined Espérance Sportive de Tunis, with his representatives saying the club had limited his career progress.
Sundowns rejected the termination and maintained that the player was still under contract. The club then took the case to FIFA, seeking compensation for the breach.
The FIFA Football Tribunal ruled that Ribeiro had ended his employment contract without just cause and ordered him to pay Sundowns $4m.
The ruling gives Ribeiro 45 days from the date he was notified of the decision to make the payment.
FIFA regulations also state that a club that signs the player during the relevant period could be held jointly responsible for the compensation and could face sporting sanctions.
If the amount is not paid within the given period, Ribeiro could also face a worldwide ban from taking part in official football activities until the sanction is lifted.
The decision is an important development for Sundowns and could affect future contract disputes involving African clubs and players moving abroad.
It also shows Fifa’s firm stance that players cannot end contracts without facing consequences unless they have a valid legal reason.
By: Pascal Amoah
