Lawyer Explains! How Mamelodi Sundowns can stop suitors from engaging PSL Player of the Season Lucas Ribeiro - They 'run the risk of being slapped with a sanction by FIFA due to player inducement'

A legal loophole that Mamelodi Sundowns can use to block renegade star Lucas Ribeiro from engaging other teams with the intention of sealing a transfer has been revealed.

Legal expert Mpho Nkontlha has identified a FIFA provision that the Premier Soccer League defending champions can exploit in their transfer saga with the Brazilian star.   

The 26-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs, including Qatar SC, although the Middle East outfit is understood to have identified an alternative. 

"In terms of the FIFA statutes, the Qatari club also runs the risk of being slapped with a sanction by FIFA due to player inducement, which is palpable in this saga," Nkontlha told KickOff.

In his argument, Ribeiro will rely on the 'Diarra Ruling' as he fights to terminate his contract with the Tshwane giants. However, Nkontlha has pointed out why the 2024/25 Golden Boot winner may not benefit from the judgement made by the European Court of Justice.  

"The only time in which the Diarra case would bind all national associations is upon declaration by FIFA, as was witnessed in the Bosman case," the attorney explained.

"It would be premature for footballers to apply case law in this matter when the FIFA Council has not amended its regulations to have a worldwide effect. The concern arises when an independent association such as FIFA is bullied by the EU Parliament," he added.

"I doubt whether decisions of the non-existent African Court of Justice, Asian Court of Justice, or Mercosur in Latin America, or whatever the case may be, if similar continental courts existed, would persuade FIFA to consider legislative amendments. It would not happen at all."

"This is akin to European soft neo-colonialism," added Nkontlha in his sharp legal analysis."

Ribeiro and Masandawana are at loggerheads, as the forward wishes to leave, but the club does not want him to because he has a running contract.  

Ribeiro, the winner of the FIFA Club World Cup Goal of the Tournament, is yet to feature for the Brazilians since the global showpiece in June. 

His case at the FIFA Dispute and Resolution Chamber is keenly followed by legal experts, Sundowns and the fans.

Legal experts wait to see how the chamber will rule and what legal basis it will cite in making its judgement. 

For Sundowns, they hope that the FIFA DRC will respect the running contract and declare the player their own.