Leeds United reportedly withdraw £24.5m legal claim appeal as contract dispute nears conclusion — YEP 11/4/24
Leeds United have reportedly withdrawn their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport surrounding the £24.5 million contract dispute with former loanee Jean-Kevin Augustin.
By Joe Donnohue
The Athletic report Leeds' appeal with CAS against FIFA’s
order to pay Augustin £24.5 million for a breach of contract has been
withdrawn, indicating a resolution to the long-running dispute could be nearing
a conclusion. That said, it is unclear whether the club will commit to paying
the full sum or concessions have been made out of court by either party.
Augustin represented Leeds on an initial loan deal during
the 2019/20 season which was disrupted due to COVID. It was alleged by
Augustin's former club RB Leipzig that Leeds reneged on an agreement to sign
the player permanently in the event of promotion to the Premier League. When
the Whites went up in July 2020, Augustin's loan deal - which amounted to a
meagre three appearances and 48 minutes as his spell was wracked by injury and
fitness issues - had already come to an end, with Leeds arguing the clause had
elapsed.
Leipzig's complaint to FIFA was ultimately successful and
Leeds were ordered to pay a compensation sum, eventually amounting to £15
million in December 2022. Augustin, meanwhile, submitted his own compensation
claim with FIFA who found partially in favour of the 26-year-old, now plying
his trade in Switzerland with FC Basel. Leeds consequently appealed to CAS, but
this has now been withdrawn without a definitive ruling.
It is not known whether Leeds will commit to compensating
Augustin the full £24.5 million he claims is owed, although with litigation
seemingly concluded, a resolution is expected.
