Ismaili chairman Yehia Al-Koumi said on Thursday that FIFA's latest ruling regarding Hosni Abd-Rabou's transfer wrangle does not mean that the player has to return to Strasbourg. The Egyptian Football Association have received a fax from the world governing body, demanding Abd-Rabou's ITC to be given to French club Strasbourg. "What happened is that FIFA have accepted Strasbourg's appeal," Al-Koumi told FilGoal.com "The matter has been now taken to the arbitration court and they will announce their decision within 21 days." The EFA have given Abd-Rabou the green light to participate with Ismaili last month, depending on a letter from FIFA saying that a player involved in a dispute shouldn't be stopped from playing football. FIFA have initially refused Strasbourg's request to register the player in their squad, but now have made a U-turn and accepted their appeal. Abd-Rabou played for Ismaili last season on loan from Strasbourg, with an option of a permanent move should the Dervishes pay 500,000 Euros before June 15th. Ismaili said they paid the fees on time but Strasbourg denied the claim and took the case to FIFA.
