Lecce Reports Zambian Player Lamka Banda to FIFA Over Unauthorized Training with Libyan Club

Lecce is embroiled in a controversy involving Zambian winger Lamka Banda, a former player for Maccabi Petah Tikva and Maccabi Netanya. Banda failed to return to Italy after the summer break and has been absent from Lecce's training sessions for several weeks. Italian media reported on August 9 that Banda was spotted training with Libyan club Al-Suwaihli in Cairo. Lecce has formally contacted FIFA, as well as the football associations of Zambia and Libya, to report the incident, emphasizing that Banda remains under contract with Lecce until June 2027.

Al-Suwaihli, preparing for the African Champions League, reportedly offered Banda a two-year contract worth 1.6 million euros per season. Lecce rejected a previous offer from the Libyan club of less than one million euros. The club has not accepted these developments and has frozen Banda's salary while attempting unsuccessfully to reach him. Banda was last seen at Lusaka airport in Zambia on July 23 but did not return to Italy.

Initially, Banda's representatives cited passport and bureaucratic issues for his absence, but later it was suggested that he was disappointed by Lecce's rejection of a lucrative offer from Saudi club Al-Fateh. Lecce announced on July 21 that it reserved the right to take disciplinary action against the player. Banda's camp claims he was unaware of a unilateral contract extension option exercised by Lecce in June 2026. Meanwhile, Maccabi Petah Tikva continues to monitor the situation closely, as it holds a percentage of any future transfer fee for Banda, who previously played for both Israeli clubs before moving to Italy.