Zamalek fans woke up to more bad news: FIFA has once again imposed a transfer ban on the club.
Over the past five years, the White Knights have suffered from numerous outstanding payments and fines owed to players and coaches, resulting in repeated transfer bans that have negatively impacted the team’s performance.
This time, FIFA announced three cases against Zamalek, without disclosing their details, leading to a three-transfer-window ban.
According to Egyptian media reports, all three cases relate to unpaid dues owed to former coach José Gomes and his staff.
Although Zamalek announced a settlement agreement with Gomes last August, the club failed to implement it and pay the coach according to the agreed-upon installment schedule.
Last month, Gomez announced he was appealing to FIFA after exhausting all avenues with Hussein Labib’s administration, and it appears the coach easily obtained rulings in his favor.
Zamalek will need to pay $120,000 to Gomez and two of his assistants to settle the three cases, after which FIFA will immediately lift the transfer ban.
Zamalek is facing a significant financial crisis, making the $120,000 payment extremely difficult. However, it is expected that club officials will do their utmost to resolve the matter before the upcoming winter transfer window, given the team’s need to make several new signings.
