FIGC refuse Banda transfer to Swahly SC due to existing Lecce contract
Quick summary
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has refused to authorize Banda's transfer to Egyptian club Swahly SC because the player remains under contract with Serie A side Lecce.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceThe FIGC has sided with Lecce and blocked Lameck Banda from joining Swehly SC because he is still under contract, so the matter could now go to FIFA.
LECCE, ITALY – MAY 24: Lameck Banda of US Lecce scores his team’s opening goal 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) The attacking winger has been AWOL from training for over a month now, when he failed to return to Italy for pre-season training.
He then refused to answer his phone, not speaking to the club or his official agent, for weeks on end.
Banda goes AWOL from Lecce 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) When he was spotted with the directors of Libyan club Swehly SC (also sometimes referred to as Asswehly Sports Club), who had an offer rejected by Lecce earlier in the summer, it raised alarm bells.
Today the FIGC (Italian Football Federation) announced that it had refused to give the all-clear to a transfer request from the Libyan Federation for Banda’s transfer to Swehly SC.
According to reports, the Zambian striker claims he was unaware that the contract with Lecce had an option allowing the club to extend by another year for the 2026-27 campaign.
He was convinced that he would be a free agent from July 1, 2026, and is therefore refusing to recognise the contract.
The FIGC statement confirmed that Banda is under contract with Lecce until June 30, 2027.
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What happened
A potential move for Lecce player Banda to Egyptian club Swahly SC has been blocked by the FIGC. The Italian federation refused to process the transfer, citing the player's valid existing contract with Lecce. This saga continues to develop as Swahly SC had apparently been pushing to sign the player despite his contractual obligations to the Italian club. The refusal protects Lecce's contractual rights and means Banda will remain registered with the Serie A club unless the matter is resolved through official channels.
Chance analysis
This is a contract dispute blocking an attempted cross-continental transfer. FIGC's refusal to authorize the move is standard practice to protect clubs' contractual rights, preventing players from unilaterally terminating deals. For Lecce, this is a positive development as it retains the player's registration. For Swahly SC, the move is effectively dead unless a negotiated settlement is reached. From a soccer intelligence standpoint, Banda remains a Lecce asset and the resolution of this dispute could affect his availability and future transfer valuation.
Banda remains a Lecce player with his transfer to Swahly SC blocked; Lecce retain his registration while the dispute is unresolved.
Banda should still be considered a Lecce player for squad and availability purposes until a transfer is officially approved.