Egyptian media outlets reported that Zamalek will lift FIFA’s transfer ban after board member Hani Berzi intervened and provided the club with financial assistance to settle outstanding payments owed to coach José Gomes and his assistants.
Zamalek owes Gomes and his staff more than $120,000. Despite reaching a settlement with the Portuguese coach in August, the club’s recent financial crisis has prevented the payment of these dues.
Gomez and his assistants appealed to FIFA, which imposed a transfer ban on Zamalek until the club settles all outstanding payments.
According to recent reports, Hani Berzi loaned Zamalek more than 15 million Egyptian pounds on Wednesday evening to settle Gomes and his staff’s dues and lift the transfer ban, as well as to pay a portion of the players’ salaries before the start of the Egyptian Super Cup.
Zamalek is preparing to face Pyramids FC on Thursday at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, in the Super Cup semi-final.
The lifting of the transfer ban on Zamalek means the club can now make signings in January, and it also eases the burden on the management, who are also seeking to appoint a new foreign coach to replace the sacked Yannick Ferreira.
Ahmed Abdel Raouf is currently in charge of Zamalek on an interim basis, and he has been supported by sporting director John Edward, who has brought in two Portuguese coaches: one for the goalkeeping coach position and the other for the fitness coach position.
