FIFA slaps Zamalek with 17th transfer ban amid mounting financial crisis

Zamalek SC have been hit with another registration ban from FIFA, deepening the financial turmoil surrounding the Egyptian giants.

The latest sanction, announced on Wednesday, marks the 17th time the club have been restricted from registering new players in recent years.

FIFA published the decision on its official website but did not disclose the creditor involved in the case.

Local reports, however, suggest the ban stems from unpaid dues to former Beninese striker Samson Akinyoola, who is allegedly owed around $450,000 in salaries and settlement fees after leaving the club in 2024 to join Kuwait’s Kazma SC.

The punishment comes just days after Zamalek’s 16th registration ban on May 6, which was linked to unpaid compensation owed to former Belgian coach Yannick Ferrera and members of his technical staff.

In that case, valued at approximately $400,000, the case reportedly went unchallenged after the club failed to appeal.

The repeated sanctions underline the scale of Zamalek’s ongoing financial difficulties. In total, the club is believed to owe about $6.17 million across multiple unresolved cases, which must be settled for their transfer registration rights to be restored.

Under the Confederation of African Football’s regulations, Zamalek are required to settle all outstanding debts by the end of May to secure a licence to participate in next season’s inter-club competitions.

The off-field chaos stands in contrast to their performances on the pitch. The Cairo side currently lead the Egyptian Premier League with 53 points following a narrow 1-0 victory over Smouha SC, keeping their title hopes firmly on track.

Attention now shifts to continental duty, where Zamalek prepare to face Algeria’s USM Alger in the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final after a 1-0 defeat in the first leg.