Zamalek begin payment to Oleksandriya as Egyptian club moves to close transfer dispute

Zamalek have started transferring the full amount owed to Ukrainian club Oleksandriya over the signing of Brazilian forward Joao Bezzera, after the Ukrainians rejected an offer to pay in instalments, a source at the Cairo side has told FilGoal.com.

The source clarified the situation following reports from Ukraine that Oleksandriya officials had denied reaching any agreement with Zamalek over the long-running financial dispute linked to Bezzera’s move.

According to the source, Zamalek’s board recently held direct talks with Oleksandriya and proposed rescheduling the outstanding sum. However, the Ukrainian club refused to accept a payment plan and insisted on receiving the entire amount in a single tranche.

“Zamalek’s management complied with the request of the Ukrainian club and succeeded in securing the full value of the dues, and the procedures to transfer the amount to Oleksandriya have already started,” the source said.

The official stressed that this payment is intended to bring the matter to a definitive close and to end two separate cases in which transfer bans had been imposed on Zamalek in favour of Oleksandriya.

“These transfers are part of resolving this file once and for all, and drawing a line under the two cases in which rulings were issued to suspend registration in favour of the Ukrainian club, as part of Zamalek’s efforts to finalise all matters related to obtaining the African licence,” the source added.

African licence cases resolved

Earlier, Zamalek announced via their official “Zamalkawy” application that all FIFA cases affecting their eligibility for the African club licensing process had been settled, clearing the way for participation in next season’s CAF Champions League.

Club vice-chairman Hesham Nasr said on the app: “Zamalek has finished all FIFA cases related to the African licence and we have closed the Oleksandriya and N’Diaye files.”

The deadline to meet the conditions for the African licence was set for 25 July, and resolving the disputes with Oleksandriya and over N’Diaye formed a key part of Zamalek’s push to comply with Confederation of African Football regulations.

According to the source, with the Oleksandriya matter now in the process of being settled through full payment, Zamalek have removed the main remaining obstacles linked to international financial disputes that could have threatened their licence.

One remaining disciplinary case

Zamalek still face a single outstanding issue concerning a disciplinary transfer ban imposed in the case involving Moroccan player Salah Eddine Mossadek.

However, this remaining sanction does not affect the club’s eligibility to secure the African licence, and therefore will not prevent their participation in the CAF Champions League.

Zamalek will enter the Champions League as Egyptian Premier League champions and are set to return to Africa’s elite club competition after a three-year absence.

During that spell away from the Champions League, the White Knights competed in the CAF Confederation Cup, winning the title in 2024 before finishing as runners-up in the 2026 final.

By moving to pay Oleksandriya in full and by confirming the closure of the N’Diaye case, Zamalek’s hierarchy believe they have now met the key financial and legal criteria required by CAF, leaving only the separate disciplinary matter of Salah Eddine Mossadek to be addressed outside the licensing framework.