Legal expert clarifies Al-Hilal’s options over Cancelo absence and FIFA process | OneFootball

Joao Cancelo’s no-show at Al-Hilal’s Austria camp does not, on its own, give the club grounds to terminate his deal or go straight to FIFA, legal expert Turki Al-Shammari has said.

Okaz reports that Al-Shammari said the incident alone is insufficient to prove a contractual breach that would justify ending the agreement or claiming compensation.

He outlined that Al-Hilal must show Cancelo was formally instructed to report, that he stayed away without permission or legal cause, and that official warnings demanded his return. Only then can the club escalate beyond internal measures.

The regulations first allow contractual discipline such as a warning, a fine or a wage deduction, while giving the player a full chance to explain and defend his position. If every notice is ignored and the absence drags on, the case could amount to a fundamental breach, permitting termination.

Al-Shammari added that Al-Hilal cannot approach FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber until all procedural steps are completed. Only afterwards could the club seek to validate termination and pursue damages, with potential sporting sanctions if any breach fell within the contract’s protected period.

He stressed the club’s legal strength will depend on documents, the contract, formal notifications and warnings, proving deliberate absence rather than an emergency, not on media noise or a missed training session. Reports point to Cancelo wanting a permanent return to Barcelona, while Al-Hilal are holding firm on a €15 million fee to sell his contract. Talks between the clubs continue.

Source: Goal.com