Lecce have issued a stark warning to winger Lameck Banda, stating that the Zambia international "will pay the consequences of his behaviour" after disappearing from the club's pre-season training camp without explanation.
The Serie A side revealed they have not heard from the 25-year-old for several days, despite repeated attempts to contact him for mandatory medical tests.
"Unfortunately, we haven't heard from Lameck Banda for several days," Lecce director Stefano Trinchera told the Nuovo Quotidiano di Puglia newspaper. "We are continuing to call Banda in for his medical tests, but receive no reply. We'll see how long this goes on for. What we can be certain of is that he will pay the consequences for his behaviour."
Trinchera expressed the club's disappointment, adding: "It is an understatement to say that we feel let down. We have always been very supportive of Lameck, including in some personal matters. This is why his behaviour has surprised us all."
Banda was expected to report for pre-season training earlier this month. The club initially issued a statement citing bureaucratic issues with his return to Italy from Zambia, but reports suggest he has since stopped answering phone calls from the club's staff.
The winger, who joined Lecce from Maccabi Petah Tikva for €2 million in 2022, is under contract at the Stadio Via del Mare until June 2027 after the club exercised its option to extend his deal by a further year.
Banda has made 109 competitive appearances for the Salentini, scoring nine goals and providing 12 assists. On the international stage, he has earned 22 senior caps for Zambia, finding the net three times.
It remains unclear when — or if — Banda will return to the club, with Lecce's pre-season preparations continuing without him.
Sources
- https://football-italia.net/lecce-warning-banda-will-face-consequences/
