Although Ribeiro moved on from Sundowns and signed for Spanish second-tier side Cultural Leonesa, creating the impression that the matter had been settled, information available to the public broadcaster suggests the case has not yet been fully resolved.

Ribeiro is currently a free agent after leaving the Spanish club following their relegation from LaLiga 2 and has been searching for a new team, with Al Ittihad widely regarded as favourites to secure his signature.

However, the Libyan outfit are understood to have paused formal negotiations pending clarity on the player's legal status.

The club reportedly wants confirmation from FIFA's tribunal that Ribeiro was entitled to terminate his contract with Sundowns before proceeding with any deal – the world governing body had allowed the striker to continue his career while his decision to terminate the contract was still under review.

The 27-year-old parted ways with The Brazilians after invoking just cause, arguing that the club had repeatedly blocked opportunities to move abroad despite receiving genuine interest from clubs in Europe and the Gulf region.

Ribeiro, who impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA last year, maintained that interested clubs had negotiated in good faith and were prepared to submit substantial offers, only for Sundowns to reject them.

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While the player was subsequently allowed to join Cultural Leonesa, a move that suggested the matter had been put to bed, sources in Libya indicate Al Ittihad remain concerned that the dispute is still active.

There is a belief that Sundowns remain confident of a favourable outcome, potentially opening the door for Ribeiro to be ordered back to the club or pay compensation or face sanctions depending on the situation.

As a result, the side coached by Rulani Mokwena is reluctant to advance talks until there is definitive legal certainty regarding Ribeiro's status.

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