Gabriel Costa and Gustavo Felipe de Campos Gonçalves have been released from their registration with Naxxar Lions by the Malta FA, as the dispute over the club’s attempted unilateral contract extension continues.
Malta Sport owns all documentation related to the case and has also sought the advice of a sports agent and a lawyer working in the field, while also reviewing FIFA rules and jurisprudence on unilateral contract extensions.
Legal letters sent to MFA General Secretary Dr Maria Azzopardi on 9 June show that both players formally rejected any continuation of their employment relationship with Naxxar Lions for the 2026/27 season and requested the immediate removal of their registrations.
The players’ legal team argued that neither player consented to remain registered with the club and that any alleged breach of contract should be decided by the competent football authorities, including FIFA’s Football Tribunal if necessary.
The case has also raised wider concerns in Maltese football. Malta Sport understands that similar situations have occurred in Malta, with some players accepting extensions either because they felt obliged to do so or because they were not fully aware of their rights.
Under FIFA case law, unilateral extension clauses are generally interpreted strictly. Where a contract requires a player to be notified before a specific deadline, failure to do so may make the extension ineffective.
Although the Malta FA has now released both players from their registrations, the contractual dispute itself may still continue if either party decides to pursue the matter before the competent football bodies.
