Zamalek under fresh FIFA sanctions threat after Abdelhamid Maali ruling

Zamalek have been ordered by FIFA to pay about $550,000 to former Morocco international Abdelhamid Maali, with the Egyptian club facing a possible two-window ban on registering players if the debt is not settled within 45 days.

The ruling was issued by FIFA’s Players’ Status Chamber after Maali lodged a complaint over outstanding payments owed under the contract he signed with Zamalek. The 20-year-old, who now plays for his former club Ittihad Tanger, terminated his agreement with Zamalek unilaterally before taking the dispute to football’s world governing body.

Moroccan website Le360 Sport reported that FIFA has formally instructed Zamalek to pay the remaining amount due to Maali. The club’s deadline runs for 45 days from the date it was notified of the decision.

Failure to comply could lead to further sporting sanctions under FIFA’s regulations governing disputes between clubs and players. Those measures may include a ban preventing Zamalek from registering new players during two consecutive transfer windows.

The sum identified in the ruling is approximately $550,000, representing the unpaid balance of Maali’s contractual entitlements. FIFA’s decision requires the club to complete payment within the specified period to avoid the possible punishment.

The case adds to a growing list of financial disputes facing Zamalek. The club have been dealing with several claims involving unpaid wages and contractual obligations to current and former players, increasing the legal and financial pressure on the Egyptian side.

Maali’s dispute began after he ended his Zamalek contract without the club’s agreement. He then submitted an official complaint to FIFA, seeking payment of the money he believed remained outstanding.

Following its review of the case, the Players’ Status Chamber ruled in the player’s favour and instructed Zamalek to pay the sum within the deadline set out in the decision. The chamber also warned that sporting penalties could follow if the ruling is ignored.

Maali is currently back with Ittihad Tanger, the club he represented before his move to Zamalek. The FIFA ruling concerns the financial obligations arising from his time with the Egyptian club and does not alter his present registration with Ittihad Tanger.

Zamalek must now resolve the matter inside the 45-day period if they are to avoid the threat of a transfer-registration suspension. The potential ban would apply for two successive transfer windows if the club fails to meet the terms of FIFA’s ruling.