Zambian Player Lamka Banda Claims Abuse by Italian Club Lecce Amid Contract Dispute

Zambian footballer Lamka Banda, formerly of Maccabi Netanya and Maccabi Petah Tikva and recently playing for Italian club Lecce, is embroiled in a contract dispute after moving to Libyan club Al-Suwaikh. Banda and his representatives claim he was mistreated during his four years at Lecce, alleging poor treatment and low wages relative to Italy's cost of living. They also assert that Banda was misled about interest from other clubs, despite genuine offers from teams in England and Saudi Arabia.

The conflict escalated when Banda failed to report for Lecce's preseason training on July 12, raising concerns about his wellbeing. According to Sky Italy, Banda communicated through an intermediary that he was safe but would not return to Lecce. Subsequently, he was seen training with Al-Suwaikh, the Libyan champions, leading Lecce to involve FIFA in the dispute.

Lecce maintains that Banda remains under contract, having exercised an option to extend his deal until June 2027, while Banda insists his contract expired on June 30, 2026, and that he had informed Lecce multiple times of his refusal to renew. FIFA is now set to intervene to resolve the disagreement.