Ghana’s Right to Dream Academy has reportedly won a significant legal tussle against FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the misallocation of solidarity payments tied to the high-profile transfer of Ernest Nuamah. The decision, according to Africasoccer, delivered by sport’s highest judicial authority, marks a rare legal setback for FIFA. The verdict highlights systemic flaws in how the world’s governing body distributes financial compensation intended for formative clubs. Development fees misallocated The case revolved around the solidarity mechanism, a FIFA regulation that allocates five percent of a player’s international transfer fee to the clubs that played a role in their development from ages 12 to 23. When Ernest Nuamah made a record €25 million move from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland to Belgian club RWD Molenbeek, and eventually to French Ligue 1 side Lyon, Right to Dream expected a portion of the fee as the player’s primary training institution. However, FIFA’s initial decision diverted the bulk of the solidarity payment to Stadium Youth Club, a small outfit that only had Nuamah on their books until he was eight years old. Crucially, this club had reportedly ceased operations years ago and played no part in the professional training of Nuamah, who scored 6 goals and made 2 assists in 33 appearances for Lyon in 2024/25 according to Transfermarkt. CAS recognizes Right to Dream as primary developer Per the same source, following Right to Dream’s appeal, CAS ruled that the Akosombo-based academy had been Nuamah’s main training environment between the critical ages of 10 and 18. The tribunal ordered FIFA to revise its records and reallocate the solidarity compensation accordingly. According to the CAS judgment cited by AfricaSoccer.com, the academy is now due at least €283,919 from the first phase of the transfer. Further funds are anticipated once Nuamah’s loan move to Lyon becomes a permanent deal, an arrangement already agreed upon in 2023. FIFA’s defense Danish attorney Jes Christian Fisker represented Right to Dream in the arbitration process. FIFA, for its part, maintained throughout the proceedings that it had acted according to the information available at the time. Nonetheless, CAS strongly criticized the global body’s reliance on “inaccurate and outdated” registration data, primarily sourced from the Ghana Football Association. This ruling compels FIFA to consider the actual evidence submitted, which clearly demonstrated Right to Dream’s long-term role in Nuamah’s development. It was also noted that the academy had previously compensated another early-stage club, Real Soccer Angels FC, with around €700,000 for the player’s earliest years. Controversial Nuamah transfer to Lyon The saga of Nuamah’s transfer had already raised eyebrows before the legal battle over solidarity fees emerged. The 21-year-old forward was officially sold to Molenbeek, a Belgian club under the ownership of Eagle Football Holdings, led by John Textor. Lyon, Nuamah’s ultimate destination, is also controlled by Textor, prompting Danish regulators to question the integrity of the deal. Despite concerns about whether the move complied with transfer rules, both the Belgian and French football associations assured UEFA and FIFA that the transaction was legitimate. Nuamah joins long line of Right to Dream graduates The Black Stars winger follows in the footsteps of several stars produced by the Right to Dream system. The academy, which offers a residential program combining academics and elite football training, has also developed talents such as Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Simon Adingra. With this legal win, Right to Dream secures overdue compensation and reinforces its role as one of the most influential football academies in Africa. Source: YEN.com.gh