A legal professional has revealed a legal recourse for Mamelodi Sundowns that could deter Lucas Ribeiro Costa from terminating his contract under the pretext of so-called 'just cause'.
Ribeiro, in a leaked document, revealed intentions to terminate his contract, as he believes he has "a just cause" not to honour the remaining years of his deal, which expires in 2028.
This is after accusing the club of inflating his transfer fee when suitors were looking to secure his services after impressive performances at the FIFA Club World Cup.
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After explaining that the player would find it hard to prove his case based on a European Union ruling, lawyer Mpho Nkontlha of Nkontlha Attorneys has also revealed that according to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), a player cannot terminate his contract based on 'just cause' within the first three years of his contract at a club.
"The current Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) Article 17(4) as it stands, prohibits a player to terminate his contract whlist under protected period," Nkontlha revealed, speaking to KickOff.com.
"Ribeiro is under the age of 28 and his contract cannot be terminated without sanctions within the first three years."
Nkontlha also explained that to terminate a contract based on 'just cause' clause is unlikely to stand the test of time at FIFA.
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"He is getting game-time, remunerated well and the club is within its own right to ask for a transfer fee that they deem apposite for a player of his stature," Nkontlha, who is based in Tshwane, said.
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