According to Bild, Leeds United have lost their case with RB Leipzig over the transfer of Jean-Kevin Augustin.
The Elland Road outfit and Leipzig have been locked in a legal battle for almost a year now, but FIFA have finally made a decision, and they believe that Leipzig’s case was stronger.
Therefore, Leeds may have to pay Leipzig as much as €21m (£18.1m).
In case you had forgotten, this dispute related to an obligation to buy the French striker after Leeds’ promotion in 2020.
Leeds had negotiated a loan deal for Augustin that included an obligation to buy the striker upon their promotion at the end of the 2019/20 season.
However, the loan deal had an expiry date which, due to the season being halted by lockdown, had passed by the time Leeds’ promotion was confirmed, so the Whites’ argument was that they didn’t owe Leipzig the money.
Understandably, Leipzig see the situation rather differently and had chased the Yorkshire club for the fee they felt they were owed, and now it seems as though the Whites will have to pay up, or will they?
Indeed, although Bild report that the Whites have lost this battle, Leipzig’s Commercial Director believes that an appeal will be coming soon.
“We are glad that FIFA confirmed our legal opinion in the first instance,” He said.
“However: So far it has only been the first instance. The verdict is not yet legally binding. Leeds can appeal. The chances that the English club will do so are very high.”
So, United may have lost the battle, but not the war, so don’t be surprised if this case rumbles on for some time.
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