Ghana’s Right to Dream Academy has won a major legal victory over FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding development fees linked to Ernest Nuamah’s record-breaking transfer.
CAS overturned FIFA’s initial decision, which had directed solidarity payments from Nuamah’s €25 million move to Belgian club RWD Molenbeek to Stadium Youth Club; a defunct Ghanaian side that only trained Nuamah until age 8. Right to Dream, which developed him from age 10, successfully argued that it was wrongly excluded.
FIFA’s outdated database was at the heart of the error. CAS ruled that the Transfer Matching System (TMS) failed to reflect Nuamah’s actual development path.
As a result, FIFA must now reassign the funds, with Right to Dream expected to receive at least €283,919, with more due once Nuamah’s permanent move to Lyon is completed later this year.
The case stemmed from Nuamah’s complex 2023 transfer from FC Nordsjaelland (owned by Right to Dream) to Molenbeek, followed by a structured loan to Olympique Lyonnais, all under the umbrella of Eagle Football Holdings.
The ruling is seen as a landmark for African academies, highlighting the need for accurate player records and opening the door for similar challenges across the continent.
Right to Dream has already paid ₵9 million to Nuamah’s earlier club, Real Soccer Angels FC, acknowledging their role in his development from ages 8 to 10.
Nuamah, now a Ghana national team regular, continues to impress in Ligue 1 and remains a target for Premier League clubs.
