Sundowns clarify Ribeiro’s reported R66 million FIFA fine

Mamelodi Sundowns have clarified a recent report that FIFA ordered former player Lucas Ribeiro to pay the club €4 million (around R66 million) within 45 days following a breach of contract.

Ribeiro forced his way out of Sundowns last year, days after shining at the FIFA Club World Cup, claiming the Brazilians had priced him out of a dream transfer, only to join Spanish second division side Cultural Leonesa.

The Brazilian forward invoked the ‘Diarra Ruling,’ claiming he had a right to terminate his contract if the South African giants did not release him, a situation that garnered global attention.

Widespread reports over a R66m fine

Sundowns lodged a complaint at FIFA and a report at the weekend claimed that the FIFA Football Tribunal had ruled in favour of the CAF Champions League winners after Ribeiro unilaterally terminated his contract, which was to run until 2028.

Ribeiro, who now plays for Tunisian giants Esperance, allegedly had 45 days to settle the multi-million compensation fee or face potential global sporting and playing bans although he had a chance to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Was Ribeiro ordered to pay Sundowns?

However, according to Robert Marawa, no such ruling has been made as Sundowns denied receiving any communication from the global football governing body.

“I saw that and immediately I did reach out to Mamelodi Sundowns to ask for the latest and I can tell you what Sundowns said; ‘not as far as we know.’ The club has not received any communication from FIFA,” Marawa said, while replying to a question from a fan.

It is still not known when FIFA will deliver the verdict on the case but it could set a precedent regarding contractual matters between players and clubs around the world going forward.