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Jean-Philippe Mateta has reportedly contacted FIFA over a dispute concerning the final year of his Crystal Palace contract.
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The striker claims the 12-month extension taking his deal to 2027 is invalid, despite an independent tribunal reportedly finding the contract binding.
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Mateta started Palace’s 2-0 defeat by Everton on Saturday as speculation continues over his future at the club.
August 23, (THEWILL) — Jean-Philippe Mateta has reportedly taken his contract dispute with Crystal Palace to FIFA as uncertainty continues over his future at the club.
The French striker is challenging the validity of the final year of his Palace contract, which was extended in December 2024 to keep him at Selhurst Park until 2027.
According to reports, Mateta has argued that the additional 12-month extension is not valid, despite already entering the period covered by the extension.
The dispute has reportedly been considered by an independent tribunal under Premier League rules, but the contract was understood to remain binding.
FIFA has also reportedly ruled that overturning the extension does not fall within its jurisdiction. Neither Mateta nor Palace has officially commented on the matter.
The development comes at a time when Mateta’s future is already attracting attention, with Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs linked with a move for the forward.
Mateta featured for Palace in their Premier League opener against Everton on Saturday, playing 63 minutes as the Eagles suffered a 2-0 defeat.
His absence from the squad would have been a major blow to new Palace manager Pierre Sage, who is beginning his first season in charge after taking over from Oliver Glasner.
Mateta has been an important figure for Palace since joining permanently from Mainz in January 2022 following an initial loan spell.
He originally signed a four-and-a-half-year contract before the club reportedly extended his deal by another year in December 2024.
The 28-year-old’s situation has become increasingly complicated since he expressed his desire to leave Palace in January.
The club subsequently placed a reported £35m valuation on the striker, with AC Milan eventually agreeing a deal worth around £26m for his services.
However, the proposed transfer collapsed after Mateta failed a medical because of a knee problem that required surgery.
The striker later returned to action and played a role in Palace’s successful Conference League campaign.
Mateta subsequently said he was grateful the medical examination had uncovered the extent of his knee problem, which he believed could otherwise have remained undetected.
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Palace have since strengthened their attacking options, spending £47m on Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, with the two forwards competing for playing time.
With Mateta now involved in a contract dispute and continuing to attract transfer interest, his long-term future at Crystal Palace remains uncertain.
For now, however, the Frenchman remains tied to the club, with the reported FIFA decision adding another layer to a complicated situation surrounding his contract.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
