Southampton see appeal dismissed in major boost for EFL side as Spygate verdict looms

Southampton have secured a major win after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in their favour following a transfer dispute with Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro. The argument revolves around defender Lyanco, who left the Saints back in 2024.

Southampton agreed to sell the defender for around €5.2million (£4.5m) in the aftermath of their promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs. That fee was intended to be payable over five instalments running until July 2026.

According to Globo Esporte, Southampton went to FIFA claiming that the third payment had not been received, with their Dispute Resolution Chamber siding with the English side. Atletico Mineiro then appealed that decision with the CAS, but they too have ruled in the Saints’ favour and they will now receive €1.125m (£980k) plus interest for the delayed payment. The Brazilian side reportedly has 45 days to pay up.

That could even be added to, with it being suggested that Southampton notified their Brazilian colleagues that they had also missed the deadline for January’s payment, with FIFA again being dragged into the dispute.

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And once again, they ruled in Southampton’s favour, with FIFA rejecting Atletico’s argument that they had not received updated and valid invoices. Should the Brazilian side fail to pay, they could potentially be hit with multi-window registration bans.

But the decision will be a welcome boost to Southampton, who are awaiting the verdict of the FA’s probe into the Spygate scandal that saw them booted out of the playoffs last season. Speaking to BBC Sport last month, boss Tonda Eckert said: "I had a long meeting with the FA. There's one side to the story from the press, so I had my chance to sit down.

"I talked the FA through everything that happened. Now it's up to them to make a decision. I don't really have any emotions towards that.

"We're so long into the process, the FA is going to decide what they decide, and move on. My impression from the hearing was that they listened to me.

"We sat for almost four hours, so it's been quite a long conversation. The club received a big, big punishment. A big punishment.

"I think it's a punishment that is absolutely unheard of in the history of sports. And it's tough for me to say that because obviously it concerns me.

"But I've asked for forgiveness for what I've done. I've apologised publicly. I think the punishment has been very hard on the club. The rest is not for me to decide."