Lecce President Saverio Sticchi Damiani warns FIFA that Al Swehli and Lameck Banda ‘should be banned’ for breaking his contract. ‘This battle is for all clubs who respect the rules.’
The saga erupted on July 13 when he was supposed to fly in to begin pre-season training, but never showed up.
PISA, ITALY – MAY 1: Lameck Banda of US Lecce celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and US Lecce at Arena Garibaldi on May 1, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Following a statement on the club website warning of disciplinary action, it became clear he was not even answering his phone, only updating people as to his whereabouts via social media videos of him working out alone.
Banda was spotted with figures from Libyan club Al Swehli, who this week tried to register the Zambia international, only for it to be blocked by the FIGC because he is under contract.
Lecce take Banda battle to FIFA
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 24: Lameck Banda of US Lecce during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Genoa CFC at Stadio Via del Mare on May 24, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
“It was an objectively necessary step from the FIGC, because Banda is under contract with Lecce until June 2027,” President Sticchi Damiani told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
His friends had told reporters that Banda felt betrayed by the presence of a clause allowing Lecce to extend his contract by another season in June 2026, believing that he would’ve been a free agent this summer.
He suggested that the club took advantage of the fact he couldn’t speak Italian by getting him to agree to this.
However, Sticchi Damiani points out why that is a very disingenuous way of putting things.
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 14: Miguel Gutierrez of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Lameck Banda of US Lecce during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Lecce at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“That option has been there since he first arrived in 2022. We could’ve just activated the option to extend ourselves, but instead in May we called him into the headquarters, along with his former agents, and he signed a confirmation of the renewal option.
“We kept him constantly involved. We also announced it on our social media, publishing the message Banda still together 2027. He had seemed very positive at the time, a few weeks earlier he posted on Instagram celebrating his 100th appearance with Lecce, calling us his Italian football.
“There was a rapport based on affection. In June, he asked me to pay some of his salary early to pay for his wedding, and I was happy to do that for him.”
It all changed when Banda didn’t turn up for pre-season training on July 13, despite informing the club of his travel plans.
“We had received a very low offer from Al-Fateh, less than we originally paid for Lameck in 2022. We rejected it and there was no follow-up,” explained the Lecce patron.
“Al Swehli presented a low bid a month ago, so they were already well aware that he was under contract with Lecce. After we turned it down, they started planning along with the player to take him away without spending a cent.
“They asked the FIGC for the transfer, who obviously said no. Now Al Swehli and Banda will knock at FIFA’s door. Following the Lassana Diarra case, FIFA won’t want to risk getting into trouble, so will grant him a ‘provisional transfer’ and it’s very likely Banda will start the season playing for Al Swehli.
“However, FIFA have a tribunal for this and Lecce will take action. Our objective is for the tribunal to quantify the damages for Banda breaking his contract terms without just cause, with the complicity of Al Swehli, who encouraged him to take this radical action.”
The frustration with the player is palpable, especially as his own agents seem to have been surprised by the whole affair.
“We helped Banda grow with patience, put up with his errors both on and off the field, until this last season he was finally consistent and the top scorer.
“Now replacing him will be expensive. Along with compensation, those responsible for this horrible situation deserve to be sanctioned, otherwise we set a precedent where everyone feels free to do whatever they want, to ignore contracts and clubs seek provisional transfers from FIFA.
“This is not just a battle for Lecce, but for all clubs who respect the rules. The player deserved to be suspended and the Libyan club should be frozen out of the transfer market.
“His agents no longer represent the player either, they have distanced themselves from Lameck’s behaviour,” assured Sticchi Damiani.