FIFA have ruled against Leeds United in their ongoing fight against RB Leipzig regarding striker Jean Kevin Augustin.
For those that don’t know the finer details, Augustin endured a disappointing spell at Elland Road between January and the end of the season back in the 2019/20 campaign.
That loan deal included a €21m purchase clause if Leeds were promoted to the Premier League, which they obviously were.
The Whites, though, have fought against paying the clause, stating that because the season didn’t end until July, they were promoted after the clause had expired in June.
RB Leipzig have been fighting the case in the courts ever since, and Kicker report today that they have won the first stage of the fight.
The newspaper explains that the German side have ‘taken a step forward’ in the fight for the €21m they believe they are owed after FIFA ruled in their favour in the first instance.
While the decision is not ‘legally binding’ at this point as Leeds can appeal it, which is extremely likely, it’s considered a major win for Leipzig in the case.
They’ve informed the Bundesliga side of their decision, although they are yet to provide any reasons for why they have taken their side.
If they elect to stick to that decision, Leeds will be forced to pay the €21m clause for Augustin, who now plays for Nantes in France.
