Southampton have won a significant financial appeal against Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro over the transfer of defender Lyanco. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered the Brazilian side to pay an outstanding instalment of €1.125 million, approximately £980,000, plus interest within the next 45 days.
The ruling relates to the 2024 sale of Lyanco for a fee of around €5.2 million, which was structured to be paid in five parts through to July 2026. FIFA had previously rejected Atletico Mineiro's argument that they had not received valid updated invoices, paving the way for the CAS decision. This cash injection arrives as the Championship club, currently 13th in the table with 10 points from eight games, handles the final stages of the FA's 'Spygate' investigation.
Financial and off-field context
That separate probe, which saw Southampton expelled from last season's playoffs, remains ongoing. Club chief Tonda Eckert recently met with football authorities to discuss the matter. "I had a long meeting with the FA," Eckert said, confirming dialogue is continuing. The positive CAS verdict provides a timely boost off the pitch while the first team prepares for a key south coast derby.
On the field, Russell Martin's side face Portsmouth at St Mary's on 11 October, looking to build on a recent run of form that reads two wins, two draws and one defeat from their last five outings. The squad, which has scored 19 league goals this season, will be aiming to close a seven-point gap to the automatic promotion places.
This story first appeared at Mirror Football
