Zamalek transfer ban cases cut as Fifa removes latest complaint

Zamalek’s battle to clear a mounting stack of transfer ban disputes has taken a significant turn after Fifa dropped a new case against the Egyptian champions, reducing the number of active files and boosting their hopes of playing in next season’s CAF Champions League.

The international governing body formally removed a complaint relating to the transfer fee of Moroccan player Abdelhamid Maali from Moroccan club Ittihad Tanger to Zamalek.

The development trims Zamalek’s pending caseload at Fifa to five disputes, one of which is a disciplinary transfer registration ban that remains in force irrespective of payment.

The Cairo club, crowned Egyptian Premier League champions last season for a record-extending 15th time in their history, is racing to resolve all outstanding cases to secure the African club licensing required for participation in continental competitions.

Fifa case withdrawn eases pressure

Fifa’s decision to drop the Ittihad Tanger claim removes one of several transfer-related obstacles that have left Zamalek facing the threat of being barred from registering new players and excluded from CAF competitions.

By striking off the Ittihad Tanger file, the number of open Fifa disputes involving Zamalek falls to five, including the disciplinary transfer registration ban which is not automatically lifted by settling financial dues.

Club officials are also pushing to obtain a suspension of that disciplinary sanction, arguing for a chance to complete settlements and prove financial compliance in time for the next Champions League campaign.

Two cases still block African licence

Crucially for Zamalek’s continental ambitions, two of the remaining cases are directly tied to their eligibility for an African club licence.

These are:

– The transfer of Juan Bezera from Ukrainian side Oleksandriya – Outstanding dues owed to Senegalese winger Ibrahima N’Diaye

Unless both files are closed to the satisfaction of the relevant bodies, Zamalek risk being denied the licence needed to compete in CAF’s inter-club tournaments.

String of disputes already settled

In recent weeks and months, Zamalek have embarked on an aggressive campaign to settle long-running debts to former coaches, players and clubs, many of which had resulted in Fifa sanctions or threats of sanctions.

The club has recently closed:

– The case of former head coach Yannick Ferrera – The file of ex-midfielder Ferjani Sassi

Previous disputes already resolved include:

– Palestinian forward Omar Faraj, a former Zamalek player – Serbian goalkeeping coach Jugoslav Lazic

Zamalek also reached settlements with the backroom staff of former Portuguese head coach Jose Gomes – Luis Vicente, Joao Miguel and Andre Becky – as well as paying dues to:

– Benin striker Samson Akinyoola, a former Zamalek forward – Swiss coach Christian Gross, another ex-head coach of the club

Club moves to clean financial slate

The White Knights have further moved to close a series of club-to-club and contractual issues that had weighed on their balance sheet and threatened additional penalties.

Among the cases resolved are:

– Outstanding payments to Belgian club Charleroi related to the signing of Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh – The dispute involving Tunisian player Ahmed Jebali – Monies owed to Portuguese side Estrela da Amadora for the transfers of Angolan forward Chico Banza – Dues involving French coach Pierre Bahrily, who previously worked as an assistant to Yannick Ferrera – The transfer fee for Mahmoud Ben Tayek from French club Saint-Etienne

With domestic success secured through last season’s league title, Zamalek now face a race against time off the pitch: clearing the remaining Fifa cases, lifting the disciplinary transfer ban and securing their African licence in order to translate their local dominance into continental participation.