Zamalek have appealed against a FIFA ruling ordering the Egyptian club to pay financial dues to former player Abdelhamid Maali, with the club confirming it completed the legal procedure before the deadline.
A source within Zamalek told WinWin that the club had not simply been studying the ruling, as had been reported, but had already taken formal legal action by submitting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The appeal is aimed at challenging the amount awarded to the Moroccan player rather than leaving the FIFA decision unchallenged.
The FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber issued its decision on 31 July. However, Zamalek’s legal team could not begin the full appeal process until the club received the official reasoning behind the ruling.
According to the source, Zamalek formally requested the details of the decision and received them on 31 August.
The club’s legal representatives then began examining the reasons contained in the ruling and preparing the documents required for the appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FIFA gave Zamalek 21 days from the date on which the club received the details of the decision to lodge an appeal.
The source said Zamalek acted within that period and rejected suggestions that the club had failed to take action over the case.
He added: “Zamalek paid the appeal fees yesterday, and therefore the official procedure was taken before the deadline, and what is being said about the club not submitting an appeal is incorrect.”
The confirmation ends uncertainty surrounding Zamalek’s response to the FIFA ruling, following earlier reports that the club was preparing to challenge the decision in favour of Maali.
There had also been different figures reported regarding the amount Zamalek had been ordered to pay, but the club’s latest move means the case will now be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The source also clarified the nature of the FIFA ruling, stressing that it does not contain a disciplinary punishment against Zamalek.
Instead, the decision concerns financial dues disputed between the club and Maali, who previously played for the Egyptian side.
The club’s appeal will focus on the financial aspect of the ruling. Zamalek believes it has arguments that can be presented before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in an effort to have the amount reconsidered.
The source said the objective is to have the case examined again and challenge the value of the financial award rather than implement the FIFA ruling in its current form.
Zamalek will now wait for the appeal hearing, while its legal team continues to defend the club’s position in the dispute.
The club maintains that it has acted within the timeframe set by FIFA and has exercised its right to challenge the financial decision.
The appeal represents Zamalek’s latest step in the dispute with Maali and could determine whether the financial amount included in the original FIFA ruling is maintained or reduced following the proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
For now, the club’s position is clear: it does not intend to implement the FIFA decision in its current form without first pursuing its appeal and seeking a reduction in the amount it has been ordered to pay.
