FIGC Blocks Lameck Banda Transfer to Swehly SC
Lameck Banda’s stand-off with Lecce has taken a serious turn, with the FIGC stepping in to block his proposed transfer to Libyan side Swehly SC and confirming the winger remains under contract with the Serie A club until June 30, 2027.
What began as a late return from holiday has escalated into a full-blown contractual dispute that could now land on FIFA’s desk.
From pre-season no-show to transfer flashpoint
Banda has been absent from Lecce training for over a month, failing to report back for pre-season and cutting off contact with both the club and his official agent. Calls went unanswered. Messages ignored. For weeks, Lecce were dealing with silence from one of their most explosive attacking players.
The tension spiked when the Zambian was spotted alongside directors of Swehly SC, the Libyan club that had already seen an offer for him rejected earlier in the summer. For Lecce, that was no coincidence. It was a red flag.
The Libyan Federation then submitted a transfer request for Banda. That is where the FIGC stepped in.
FIGC backs Lecce’s position
On Friday, the Italian Football Federation formally announced it had refused to give the green light to Banda’s move to Swehly SC, siding with Lecce’s stance that the player remains tied to the club.
The FIGC statement made the key point crystal clear: Banda is under contract with Lecce until June 30, 2027.
At the heart of the dispute lies a contract option. According to reports, Banda claims he did not know his deal included a clause allowing Lecce to extend his stay by an extra year, covering the 2026-27 season. He believed he would be a free agent as of July 1, 2026, and is refusing to recognise the extension.
Lecce, backed now by the FIGC, insist the option is valid and has been exercised.
Next stop: FIFA?
With the Italian authorities drawing a firm line, the battle looks set to move onto the international stage. If Banda and Swehly SC continue to push for the transfer, the case could be taken to FIFA for a final ruling on the contract’s validity.
For Lecce, this is about protecting an asset who, on his day, can change a game in Serie A. For Banda, it has become a fight over his freedom to choose his next club.
One thing is no longer in doubt: this is no longer just a pre-season disciplinary issue. It is a legal and sporting confrontation that could shape the next years of his career.
