Lameck Banda was due to start pre-season training with Lecce on July 13, 2026, but failed to show up. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) blocked Al Swehli's attempt to register Banda due to his existing contract with Lecce until June 2027. Sticchi Damiani claims that Banda felt betrayed by a clause in his contract that allowed Lecce to extend his deal by another season in June 2026. However, this option had been in place since Banda joined the club in 2022, and he had even signed a confirmation of the renewal option in May after a meeting with the club and his former agents.
The situation escalated when Banda failed to attend pre-season training, despite informing the club of his travel plans. Sticchi Damiani believes that Al Swehli and Banda will appeal to FIFA, but he is confident that the governing body will take action. The Lecce President wants the tribunal to quantify the damages for Banda breaking his contract without just cause, with the complicity of Al Swehli.
Sticchi Damiani is frustrated with the player's actions, particularly as his own agents seem to have been surprised by the whole affair. He believes that Banda deserved to be suspended and that Al Swehli's club should be frozen out of the transfer market. The next step will be for FIFA to decide on a provisional transfer, which could allow Banda to start the season playing for Al Swehli.