Leeds United‘s appeal against the £24.5million they were ordered to give Jean-Kevin Augustin in compensation has been withdrawn from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to reports.
The decision leaves the Championship side on the hook for up to £40m for a player they never signed, having previously settled with RB Leipzig over his aborted transfer fee.
Leeds were ordered to pay their former player – who signed on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020 – a staggering £24.5m after being found to have breached his contract.
Leeds decided to appeal the decision, which was made by FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, adding another twist to the long-running saga surrounding the French forward.
However, The Athletic are now reporting that Leeds have withdrawn their appeal – claiming the ‘process has ended prematurely without a further ruling.’
A statement from CAS given to The Athletic read: ‘The appeal in the arbitration CAS 2023/A/9616 Leeds United v Jean-Kevin Augustin, against the decision issued on 30 March 2023 by FIFA Football Tribunal Dispute Resolution Chamber (FPSD-6567), was withdrawn.’
Leeds United ‘s appeal against the £24.5million they were ordered to give former player Jean-Kevin Augustin in compensation has been withdrawn from the Court of Arbitration for Sport
The French forward (left) is currently playing for Swiss side Basel after joining from Nantes
Leeds signed Augustin on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020, with an obligation to buy for £18m if they won promotion to the Premier League that season, which they achieved.
But the Elland Road club argued they should not have to pay the transfer fee because Augustin’s loan expired on June 30, and they went up on July 17 after the season was delayed by the Covid pandemic.
FIFA ruled in 2021 that Leeds should pay the full amount and the club lost their appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport last November.
A statement by the Court of Arbitration, as per the Athletic said: ‘The panel held that the ‘Purchase Obligation’ had been triggered at the end of the 2019-2020 season, even though the season had concluded later than expected due to the disruption caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and confirmed the ‘Challenged Decision’ in full, including the obligation of LUFC to pay to RB Leipzig the first instalment of the transfer fee, the two other instalments being not due yet, at the time of the FIFA procedure.’
Leeds released a statement in the aftermath of the verdict in which they said they would carefully review all their options with a view to appeal.
They said: ‘Leeds United are surprised and disappointed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision, which not only contradicts the language and meaning of the contract but also the practices adopted in European football under FIFA regulations, due to the unique impact of the extensions to the season necessitated by Covid postponements.
‘The club will now review carefully all of its legal options with a view to an immediate appeal. We will make no further comment at this time.’
However, Leeds eventually reached a £15.5m settlement with Leipzig in December 2022 – hoping it would put the matter to bed.
But, Augustin – who now plays for Swiss side Basel – then decided to take his own case against Leeds United to FIFA.
Leeds were ordered to pay their former player – who signed on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020 – a staggering £24.5m after being found to have breached his contract
It remains unclear as to whether the withdrawal of Leeds United’s appeal has seen the club agree to paying Augustin the full amount awarded to him
The £24.5m payment would see Andrea Radrizzani the owner and chairman of Leeds United fork out a hefty amount on a player they never permanently owned
The £24.5m fee the Whites have been told to pay is understood to represent the player’s full five-year contract on wages of £93,000 a week, plus a signing-on bonus understood to be around £2.5m.
The £24.5m payment would see Leeds fork out a hefty amount on a player they never permanently owned.
When Augustin arrived at the club, he was not adequately fit the meet the needs of Marcelo Bielsa’s team.
He only made three brief substitute appearances before a hamstring strain ruled him out of contention.
When Augustin arrived at the club, he was not adequately fit the meet the needs of Marcelo Bielsa’s (pictured above) team
After Leeds decided not to bring him to Elland Road after their promotion, he instead ended up joining French side Nantes on a free transfer in October 2020.
He would only go on to make ten appearances in two seasons before he joined Basel in the summer.
As it stands, Leeds are sitting third in the Championship table – one point behind Leicester City and Ipswich Town.
