Orange call for Egyptian Football Association secretary-general to face disciplinary probe

Orange have formally asked for the Egyptian Football Association’s secretary-general to be referred to the association’s disciplinary committee, after the club was excluded from the 2026-27 competitions over a licensing issue.

The club’s board issued the request after the Egyptian Football Association ruled that Orange had not met the legal licensing requirement needed to operate in organised sport. Orange has also lodged an appeal against its exclusion and is seeking to have the decision suspended.

In a statement, Orange said it was relying on the Sports Law, the Egyptian Football Association’s statutes and Article 6, paragraph 1, of the association’s disciplinary committee regulations.

The club called for an investigation into what it described as serious violations, including the alleged disclosure of confidential documents relating to Orange. It said the leak allowed a rival to submit a complaint claiming that the club’s licence had expired, in breach of the confidentiality principles set out in football disciplinary rules and FIFA’s ethical code.

Orange also accused the secretary-general of deliberately withholding an official document confirming the club’s admission to the association’s general assembly. The document was submitted to the Ministry of Youth and Sports on 21 February 2023 under outgoing reference number 968.

The club said the alleged concealment harmed its interests and contributed to an invalid decision declaring its participation in the previous season unlawful. According to Orange, that decision caused “catastrophic damage” to the club and its players.

The statement further alleged breaches of the association’s stated objectives and independence. Orange cited Article 2, paragraph (d), concerning the protection of the interests of the association’s members, including the club, as well as Article 5, paragraph (c), concerning the independent administration of the association’s affairs.

Orange also called for an investigation into what it described as the solicitation of outside intervention in the organisation of competitions and the conditions governing clubs’ participation. The club said that would conflict with relevant FIFA rules and principles.

Another allegation relates to a leaked audio recording attributed to the secretary-general. Orange said the recording appeared to contain an explicit promise to exclude the club from competitions in favour of another party, and argued that this would breach the principles of integrity and impartiality.

The club also criticised correspondence sent by the secretary-general to the Ministry of Youth and Sports on 12 August 2026. Orange said he had formally refused to accept letters requesting extensions for the licensing of investment companies or temporary licences, arguing that this harmed the public interest of clubs and breached the law.

Orange concluded its statement by calling on all relevant authorities to apply the law, enforce the governing regulations and protect the wider interests of Egyptian sport. It also requested that the decision to exclude the club from competitions be frozen.

The dispute has already led to further action. A number of Orange players gathered at the Egyptian Football Association’s headquarters in protest at the club’s exclusion, which the association attributed to the licensing issue.

The Egyptian Football Association has referred an appeal submitted by Orange Sports for Sports Services and Investment to its appeals committee. The committee will take whatever action it considers appropriate under its jurisdiction and the relevant regulations.