Speculation is rife about the future of Mamelodi Sundowns' Lucas Ribeiro Costa, with former teammate Bongani Zungu hinting at the Brazilian's potential next club. This comes amidst a transfer saga where Ribeiro is seeking to terminate his contract with the Tshwane giants.
The Diarra Ruling and Legal Challenges
Ribeiro's legal strategy, based on a European Union (EU) ruling concerning the Diarra case, has been met with skepticism. Ribeiro hoped to leverage this ruling, which over-ruled FIFA regulations in Europe, to secure international clearance from the FIFA Football Tribunal.
However, legal expert Mpho Nkontlha of Nkontlha Attorneys argues that jurisdiction and sovereignty are key factors working against Ribeiro. Nkontlha explained to KickOff.com that EU law, including the Diarra ruling, primarily applies within the EU's legal framework and doesn't automatically extend to independent nations or FIFA's regulations.
"Jurisdiction and sovereignty are two interlinked concepts in international law. A foreign law cannot find its application within the parameters of an independent nation," Nkontlha stated, emphasizing the limitations of applying EU law to Ribeiro's situation.
Sundowns' Stance and Ambitions
TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has also weighed in on the matter, highlighting Mamelodi Sundowns' strong position. Sukazi suggests that Sundowns' desire to retain Ribeiro stems from their ambition to compete at the highest level, including winning the Champions League. He argues that Sundowns aren't necessarily motivated by financial gain, but rather by their sporting aspirations.
"Sundowns is not a club that would need the money... They are driven by ambition. They want to win the Champions League and they want to be high up there amongst the best clubs in the world and it's players like Ribeiro who make a difference. That's why they brought him here," Sukazi said.
The saga continues, and it remains to be seen where Ribeiro will ultimately land. The legal complexities and Sundowns' determination to hold onto their star player make this a fascinating story to follow.