Al Ahly players suffer 30% salary deduction after loss to Tala’ea El Gaish SC

Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly SC has imposed significant salary sanctions on its players following a shock 2–1 defeat to Tala’ea El Gaish SC in the Egyptian Premier League.

The loss has pushed the record African champions into an unfamiliar third place on the league table, three points behind rivals Zamalek SC and Pyramids FC.

Despite the season being only halfway through, the setback against 14th-placed Gaish has reportedly angered the club’s leadership, prompting president Mahmoud El Khatib to take firm disciplinary action.

Renowned for their strict internal standards, the Cairo-based club appears determined to send a strong signal that poor performances will not be tolerated as the team continues its pursuit of domestic and continental honours.

In an official statement, the club confirmed that players will face an immediate 30 percent reduction in their salaries, while a further 25 percent of their earnings will be withheld and only paid depending on the team’s final performance in both the league and the CAF Champions League.

“Club President Captain Mahmoud El Khatib has decided the following: A 30% salary reduction for the first-team players and a 25% suspension of their contracts, pending the team’s final position in the league and CAF Champions League competitions,” Al Ahly stated.

“The first team’s departure date to Tunisia for their CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Esperance has been moved up.

“The delegation will now depart Cairo Airport on Thursday instead of Friday, to allow the coaching staff more time to prepare for the anticipated match.”

Meanwhile, vice president Yassin Mansour and board member Sayed Abdel-Hafiz have been tasked with conducting an urgent review of the club’s football operations.

“They will also restructure the sector at the first-team, youth, women’s, and academy levels, in line with the club’s and its fans’ aspirations for the upcoming period.”

Al Ahly will now turn their attention to their CAF Champions League quarterfinal games against ES Tunis.