World football governing body FIFA has delivered a landmark verdict in the dispute between Mamelodi Sundowns and Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa, ordering the player to pay US$4 million (approximately R66 million) in compensation to the South African champions following an illegal contract breach.
The decision from the FIFA Football Tribunal marks a major legal victory for the Chloorkop-based outfit, following months of friction that began when the 26-year-old attacker unilaterally terminated his deal with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) powerhouse.
Ribeiro, who enjoyed a stellar 2024–25 campaign with Sundowns—sweeping individual honors including the PSL Footballer of the Season and Golden Boot—abruptly severed ties with the Pretoria club in August 2025.
The fallout occurred shortly after Ribeiro featured for Sundowns at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he claimed the Goal of the Tournament award. Seeking a move abroad, the Brazilian’s legal representatives attempted to walk away from his active contract, arguing that the club had unreasonably hindered his career progress.
Sundowns firmly rejected the termination, asserting that the forward remained bound by a legally binding agreement. The club subsequently took the matter to world football’s governing body, seeking heavy financial compensation to protect its contract rights.
FIFA’s Football Tribunal ruled in favor of Mamelodi Sundowns, concluding that Ribeiro ended his employment contract without just cause.
Compensation Awarded: Ribeiro must pay Mamelodi Sundowns US$4 million.
Payment Timeline: The player has 45 days from the date of notification to settle the financial order.
Joint Liability: Under FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), any future or current club that signs Ribeiro during this period could face joint liability for paying the compensation amount alongside potential transfer bans.
Sporting Sanctions: Failure to settle the fine within the stipulated timeframe will trigger an immediate ban from participating in any official football-related activities worldwide.
The ruling is widely viewed as a watershed moment for South African and continental football. For years, African clubs have struggled to retain top talent or receive fair valuation when players attempt to force transfers abroad by terminating contracts unilaterally.
By enforcing the US$4 million sanction, FIFA has sent a strong message regarding the sanctity of player contracts, setting a strict legal precedent for future transfer disputes across the global game.
