Atlanta United defeats Botafogo in court over Thiago Almada ... again

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled the Brazilian club must pay the transfer fee or risk a transfer ban.

Atlanta United sold midfielder Thiago Almada to Botafogo in the 2024 summer transfer window for an MLS-record fee. (Kathryn Skeean/Atlanta United)

By Doug Roberson

1 hour ago

Atlanta United won another round in its court battle with Botafogo over its failure to pay $21 million for Thiago Almada.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Tuesday ruled that the Brazilian club must pay the transfer fee to the MLS club or risk a transfer ban.

Atlanta United sold Almada to Botafogo in the 2024 summer transfer window for an MLS-record fee. After helping Botafogo win Serie A and Copa Libertadores, it sent Almada on loan to Lyon in France before selling him to Atletico Madrid in Spain for a reported $29 million.

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Atlanta United sued Botafogo in November 2024 for non-payment. FIFA sanctioned Botafogo in February for its failure to pay, ordering it to pay Atlanta United $10 million. Botafogo didn’t pay, and in June, FIFA ordered it to pay $21 million. Botafogo appealed the verdict.

That appeal was denied Tuesday after another hearing in October.

Botafogo implied it will appeal the ruling. Atlanta United has yet to comment.

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