AWOL talent Banda in trouble as Lecce appeal to FIFA

Lecce are ready to take legal action and have appealed to FIFA after reports AWOL talent Lameck Banda is ready to sign for Libyan club Al Swehli SC.

Banda is still under contract with Lecce until June 2027, but he has not returned to Italy after his summer vacation, when he should’ve been at pre-season training four weeks ago.

LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lameck Banda of US Lecce scores his team’s winning goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on February 08, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

A formal statement was released confirming the club would ensure he faced consequences for his actions, but it seems to have had no effect.

He is refusing to answer his phone and continually rejecting any attempts for Lecce to make contact with him.

Banda trying to leave 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)

The story took a new twist when reports emerged that Banda was spotted with Al Swehli SC at their training camp in Cairo.

The Libyan club is preparing to take part in the CAF Champions League, and has reportedly offered the Zambia international a two-year contract worth €1.6m per season.

Lecce are said to be taking this very seriously, as the Gazzetta dello Sport note that the club has sent a written appeal to FIFA, the Zambian and Libyan Federations pointing out that the player is under contract.

On top of that, it’s claimed that Al Swehli had already made an offer to Lecce for Banda a few weeks ago worth under €1m and it was rejected.

The version of events Banda seems to be promoting is that he was unaware when signing the contract with Lecce that it had a unilateral option for the club to extend in June 2026, which was then activated.