Jean-Philippe Mateta trying to force free transfer exit as he says Crystal Palace contract is VOID & takes case to Fifa

CRYSTAL PALACE striker Jean-Phillippe Mateta took a shock contract dispute to Fifa – and they rejected him, according to reports. Frenchman Mateta, 29, has until June 30, 2027 on his current deal but the BBC reports he went legal to argue the past two months have been invalid. Jean-Philippe Mateta has gone to Fifa over a contract dispute Credit: Shutterstock Editorial He thinks the last two months of his deal should be void Credit: Reuters Mateta signed a four-and-a-half year contract with the Eagles in January 2022 when joining from Mainz, and that included the option to extend until 2027. Palace activated the extra year in 2024 – but Mateta has claimed that it should be VOID from July 1. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! It is claimed that his case was heard by an independent tribunal under Premier League rules. And they deemed the contract to be fine – so Mateta went to Fifa. World football‘s governing body said it wasn’t their remit. Mateta has been looking to leave Palace all year and came close to an exit in the January transfer window. Had he been successful in getting his contract ripped up early – or, on time as he would state – then he would have become a free agent. Mateta had interest from AC Milan and Juventus earlier this year. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK His move was called off late on due to an injury found during his medical. He started Palace’s Prem opening day defeat to Everton on Saturday afternoon. Under new manager Pierre Sage, Mateta was hooked after an hour and saw the team lose 2-0 away at the Hill Dickinson. He has scored 62 times for Palace in 203 appearances, including 12 in the league last season. Mateta hit 14 the year before. Eight of his 50 in the English top flight have come from penalties. Comment now