Egyptian giants Zamalek SC have reportedly made an unexpected attempt to resolve their ongoing dispute with former player Abdel Hamid Maali, offering him a route back to the club as they continue efforts to address a financial and registration-related crisis.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Zamalek approached the Moroccan playmaker during a recent visit to Morocco in an effort to find a solution to the disagreement that followed his departure from the club.
The development comes after Maali unilaterally terminated his contract with Zamalek over unpaid financial entitlements before returning to Moroccan side Ittihad Tanger during the winter transfer window.
The dispute remains unresolved, with FIFA yet to issue a ruling on the case filed by the player against the Egyptian club.
Delegation Holds Talks in Morocco
The latest attempt to settle the matter reportedly took place during a visit to Morocco by a Zamalek delegation led by Abdel Rahman Ismail, the club’s contracts manager.
The delegation had travelled to the country after reaching a settlement concerning the financial dues of another Moroccan player, Salah Eddine Mossadek. Mossadek, a defender for Wydad Casablanca, is said to have submitted a statement to the Court of Arbitration for Sport indicating he had no objection to suspending a penalty connected to a registration ban.
Following progress in that matter, Zamalek officials reportedly turned their attention to the dispute involving Maali and arranged a meeting with the player and his representatives.
According to the source, club officials presented what was described as a surprising proposal aimed at ending the disagreement.
Return Offer Instead of Financial Settlement
Rather than immediately settling the player’s outstanding financial claims, Zamalek allegedly proposed bringing Maali back to the club on a long-term contract.
The offer would have seen the midfielder rejoin the Egyptian side from Ittihad Tanger, effectively creating a new agreement while leaving the issue of previous unpaid dues unresolved.
The proposal reportedly came as a surprise to the player, who is currently contracted to the Moroccan club.
According to the source, Maali informed Zamalek representatives that any attempt to bring him back would first require negotiations with Ittihad Tanger, given that he remains under a valid contract with the club.
The player is also said to have expressed a preference for finding an alternative solution that would ensure payment of the outstanding amounts he believes are owed to him.
Registration Crisis Remains Unresolved
The dispute forms part of a broader challenge facing Zamalek as the club seeks to address issues linked to player payments and registration restrictions.
The source indicated that FIFA has not yet reached a verdict on Maali’s complaint, leaving uncertainty over the final outcome of the case.
Meanwhile, Zamalek officials continue discussions aimed at resolving the registration suspension issue connected to unpaid obligations arising from Maali’s transfer from Ittihad Tanger during the previous summer transfer window.
Efforts to find a settlement reportedly continued after the club’s delegation returned to Cairo from Morocco.
Maali’s Time at Zamalek
Maali’s spell with Zamalek was relatively brief.
The Moroccan midfielder made nine appearances for the club across various competitions, accumulating 260 minutes of playing time before his return to Ittihad Tanger.
Since rejoining the Moroccan side, the playmaker has enjoyed a productive period, contributing to six goals in the league championship.
His performances have reinforced his importance to Ittihad Tanger, potentially complicating any future attempt by Zamalek to secure his return.
For now, the focus remains on whether the two parties can reach a financial settlement and bring an end to a dispute that continues to cast uncertainty over both the player’s case and Zamalek’s wider registration situation.
