The EIGHT-FIGURE transfer fee for a move that NEVER happened: Why Leeds must pay up for £24.5m striker, who didn’t even make a permanent transfer, after withdrawing from court battle over deal
Leeds United’s appeal against the £24.5 million they were ordered to give Jean-Kevin Augustin in compensation has been withdrawn at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to reports.
Leeds were ordered to pay their former player, who joined on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020, as much as £24.5 million after he was found to have breached his contract.
Leeds decided to appeal the decision, which was made by FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, adding a new twist to the long-running saga surrounding the French striker.
However, The Athletic now reports that Leeds have withdrawn their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, claiming that ‘that process has ended prematurely without further adjudication.’
A statement from CAS issued to The Athletics read: ‘The appeal in the arbitration CAS 2023/A/9616 Leeds United v Jean-Kevin Augustin, against the decision of 30 March 2023 by the FIFA Football Tribunal Dispute Resolution Chamber (FPSD-6567), was withdrawn.’
Leeds United’s appeal against the £24.5 million they were ordered to give to former player Jean-Kevin Augustin in compensation has been withdrawn at the Court of Arbitration for Sport
The French attacker currently plays for Swiss side Basel (left photo above)
Leeds signed Augustin on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020, with a purchase obligation for £18 million if they won promotion to the Premier League that season, which they achieved.
But the Elland Road club argued they did not have to pay the transfer fee because Augustin’s loan expired on June 30, and the loan increased on July 17 after the season was postponed by the Covid pandemic.
FIFA ruled in 2021 that Leeds must pay the full amount and the club lost their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport last November.
A statement from the Court of Arbitration, according to the Athletic, read: ‘The panel found that the ‘Purchase Obligation’ had come into effect at the end of the 2019-2020 season, even though the season had ended later than expected due to the disruption caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and fully confirmed the ‘disputed decision’, including LUFC’s obligation to pay RB Leipzig the first installment of the transfer fee, while the other two installments were not yet due. time of the FIFA procedure.’
Leeds released a statement in the wake of the verdict saying they would carefully review all their options with a view to appealing.
They said: ‘Leeds United are surprised and disappointed by the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which contradicts not only the language and meaning of the contract, but also the practices prevailing in European football under the FIFA rules were adopted because of the unique impact of extra time. to the season necessitated by the Covid postponement.
‘The club will now carefully review all its legal options with a view to an immediate appeal. We will have no further comment at this time.”
However, Leeds eventually reached a £15.5 million settlement with Leipzig in December 2022, hoping this would end the matter.
But Augustin – who now plays for Swiss side Basel – then decided to take his own case against Leeds United to FIFA.
It remains unclear whether the withdrawal of Leed United’s appeal means the club has agreed to pay August the full amount awarded to him.
The £24.5 million payment would see Andrea Radrizzani, the owner and chairman of Leeds United, shelling out a hefty sum for a player they never permanently owned
The £24.5m fee the Whites must pay represents the player’s full five-year contract with wages of around £80,000 per week.
However, it remains unclear whether the withdrawal of Leed United’s appeal has seen the club agree to pay August the full amount awarded to him.
The £24.5 million payment would see Leeds shelling out a hefty sum on a player they never owned on a permanent basis.
When Augustin arrived at the club, he was not suited enough to meet the needs of Marcelo Bielsa’s team.
He made just three brief substitute appearances before a hamstring injury ruled him out.
After Leeds decided not to bring him to Elland Road following their promotion, he joined French side Nantes on a free transfer in October 2020.
He would make just ten appearances in two seasons before joining Basel in the summer.
As it stands, Leeds sit third in the Championship, one point behind Leicester City and Ipswich Town.
When Augustin arrived at the club, he was not suited enough to meet the needs of Marcelo Bielsa’s team (pictured above).