Author: Soorya G
Chilean first division side Colo-Colo have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA, soccer’s governing body, demanding a whopping R$10 million from Brazilian club Fortaleza for the signing of striker Lucero. A former Colo Colo player who moved to the Brazilian league, Lucero’s transfer generated a great deal of controversy. Colo Colo had already written to FIFA to protest against the transfer, which they claim has no legal basis, and demanded that the player be barred from the pitch for the next four months.
FIFA has since ruled in favor of the Chilean club, preventing the player from taking part in competitive matches in the near future. In addition, the world governing body has also banned Fortaleza from making transfers for two windows, preventing them from reinforcing their squad with signings for next year.
The Chilean team, in their request to FIFA, claimed that the contract termination fee was not paid when the player moved to Fortaleza in January 2023. Following FIFA’s decision, Fortaleza issued a statement expressing their surprise at the verdict and made it clear that they will certainly use the clause to appeal the sanctions and present their case.
“Fortaleza EC reiterates that it has dealt with the player Juan Martin Lucero as a free agent, with the appropriate documentary evidence. Informs that the appeal against this decision, before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, is already being prepared and will be presented in due course” said the club.
Fortaleza have signed Lucero on a three-year contract, keeping him at the club until the start of 2026. Both the club and the player claim that the Chilean club received compensation of R$4.8 million for the striker’s departure. The Chilean side claim that Lucero’s contract did not include a release clause and accuse Fortaleza of inducing the early termination of his contract, which was due to expire in December 2025.
Lucero was very successful in the Brazilian championship, making 41 appearances for Leão do Pici, scoring 16 goals and also registering six assists.