FIFA Orders Lucas Ribeiro to Pay US$4 Million to Mamelodi Sundowns
Lucas Ribeiro has been ordered by FIFA to pay US$4 million to Mamelodi Sundowns following a contractual dispute between the Brazilian forward and the South African club.
Ribeiro has 45 days to pay the amount, with further FIFA sanctions potentially following if he fails to comply with the ruling.
His agent has confirmed that the FIFA decision is genuine, according to Ghanaian sports journalist Micky Jnr, who reported that he had spoken directly with the player’s representative.
The FIFA ruling reportedly remains in place after Ribeiro’s appeal was rejected, meaning the financial order against the player stands.
Under FIFA regulations, failure to comply with a financial decision within the applicable deadline can result in a restriction from playing in official matches. Such a restriction can remain in place until the outstanding amount is paid, subject to the limits set by FIFA’s regulations.
Ribeiro’s dispute with Sundowns dates back to 2025, when he terminated his contract with the South African champions and sought FIFA intervention. The disagreement subsequently developed into a legal dispute over the validity of his contract termination.
Ribeiro is currently a player of Espérance de Tunis, meaning the potential FIFA sanction could have implications for his ability to feature for the Tunisian club if the outstanding amount is not settled.
The reported US$4 million order represents the latest development in the long-running contractual dispute between Ribeiro and Sundowns.
About the Author
Karrel Hamutenya is a senior sports journalist at The Updated World, with more than five years of experience reporting on local sport in Namibia and international sports news.His work covers match reports, transfer updates, and exclusive interviews with athletes, providing fans with deeper insight into the game and the people behind it.
