Italian Serie A side Lecce has launched a series of legal actions against Zambian winger Lameck Banda and Libyan club Al-Swehly Sports Club over the circumstances surrounding the player’s departure from the Italian club.
The move follows previous indications by Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani that the club would take legal steps to protect its interests in the matter after FIFA cleared the Zambian winger to join the Libyan club.
Lecce has initiated proceedings before the FIFA Tribunal and the Arbitration Panel, while also reporting what it describes as the improper use of Banda’s images in game situations without the relevant rights.
In a statement, the Lecce said: “That it has taken steps, through its trusted lawyers, to initiate a series of legal actions aimed at protecting its rights and interests in relation to the conduct of Mr. Lameck Banda and the Al-Swehly Sports Club.”
According to Lecce, proceedings have been opened before the FIFA Tribunal against both Banda and Al-Swehly.
The club said: “Against both Mr. Lameck Banda and Al-Swehly Sports Club, proceedings are being initiated to ascertain the unlawfulness, in the absence of just cause, of the unilateral termination implemented by the Player. They also seek to ascertain the liability of Al-Swehly Sports Club for having induced such termination and the consequent condemnation of both parties to compensate for all damages suffered and to be suffered. In these proceedings, US Lecce has also requested the application of the disciplinary sanctions provided for by the current FIFA regulations against both the Player and Al-Swehly Sports Club.”
The dispute stems from Banda’s decision to leave Lecce after his contract with the Italian club expired on June 30, 2026, with the player subsequently joining Al-Swehly.
Lecce’s raise concerns
Lecce has also raised concerns over the use of Banda’s images by the Libyan club on social media.
Regarding the use of the images, Lecce declared: “US Lecce has reported to the relevant authorities the improper use in the video published on its social media channels on 21 August 2026 by the Al-Swehly Sports Club, of images depicting the player in game actions relating to the last sporting season, without having the relevant rights.”
The Italian club has further taken the matter to the Arbitration Panel, citing the Collective Agreement between the Italian Football Federation, Lega Serie A and the Italian Footballers’ Association.
Lecce said: “USLecce has initiated proceedings before the Arbitration Panel (provided for by the Collective Agreement between the Italian Football Federation, Lega Serie A and the Italian Footballers’ Association) aimed at establishing the Player’s breach of contractual obligations, with the consequent possibility of interrupting, starting from 1 July 2026, the payment of salaries and the consequent application of the economic disciplinary sanctions provided for by the same collective agreement.”
The latest legal action adds another chapter to the increasingly contentious dispute between Banda, Lecce and Al-Swehly, with the FIFA proceedings now set to determine the legality of the player’s departure and whether either Banda or his new club should face sanctions or financial penalties.
