Jean-Philippe Mateta has taken his contractual dispute with Crystal Palace to football's world governing body, FIFA, in an attempt to have the final year of his current deal declared invalid, according to multiple sources cited by BBC Sport.
The France international, who joined Palace from Mainz 05 in 2021, signed a permanent four-and-a-half-year contract in January 2022 that included a club option for a further 12 months. Palace exercised that option in 2024, extending Mateta's stay at Selhurst Park through to June 2027. However, the 29-year-old striker is contesting the legitimacy of that additional year, arguing it should not be binding.
It is understood that Mateta's claim was first examined by an independent tribunal operating under Premier League regulations. Although no official ruling has been made public, reports suggest the tribunal upheld the contract's validity. Mateta subsequently escalated the matter to FIFA, which this week determined that it does not have the authority to intervene in or overturn the agreement.
Had Mateta succeeded in his challenge, it could have paved the way for him to become a free agent ahead of the contract's scheduled expiry next summer. Both FIFA and representatives for the player have been approached for comment.
The dispute adds another complication to what has already been an eventful period for the forward at Palace. Mateta has developed into one of the club's most influential players, netting 67 goals since his arrival and playing a pivotal role in the Eagles' historic FA Cup and UEFA Conference League triumphs under former manager Oliver Glasner. His form under Glasner was particularly striking, with 46 goals in 109 appearances across all competitions.
That rise in output attracted interest from clubs across Europe, and in January this year Mateta came close to completing a move to AC Milan. The transfer collapsed, however, after he failed a medical due to a knee issue, keeping him sidelined for roughly two months. In anticipation of his departure, Palace had already brought in Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen in a deal worth up to £48m as a potential replacement.
Mateta's return to the side was not immediately welcomed by all supporters — he was booed during a Conference League last-16 clash with AEK Larnaca in March — but he won fans back by scoring the winning goal in the competition's final, helping seal a historic treble alongside the FA Cup and Community Shield. He finished the season with 16 goals in all competitions.
The timing of the current contract standoff comes at a difficult moment for Palace under new manager Pierre Sage, who oversaw a 2-0 defeat at Everton on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Mateta started that match, but the day was further overshadowed by injury concerns. Winger Ismaila Sarr was left out of the squad due to a groin problem, having not trained in the two days before the game, amid reported interest from Turkish club Galatasaray. Palace are said to be reluctant to sell Sarr, who scored 21 goals last season, unless a bid significantly above market value is submitted.
Defender Chadi Riad also suffered a setback, being stretchered off with a serious knee injury — the latest in a series of knee problems that have disrupted his time at the club since joining in 2024, including a spell that kept him out for more than 400 days.
With a contract dispute, transfer speculation and fresh injury concerns all emerging in the opening days of the season, Sage faces early challenges as he looks to build on Palace's recent success.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.