The Egyptian FA's ruling in the transfer saga of Mohamed Nagi 'Geddo' was more than a miscarriage of justice for a Zamalek side still reeling from past decisions that went against them. Zamalek persistently sought to have Geddo, who was Egypt's hero in their African Cup of Nations triumphant campaign, banned for signing a deal with them last January before extending his contract with Alexandria-based club Ittihad. They pursued that aim with more determination after the 26-year-old made a shock move to Zamalek's arch-rivals Ahli in the close season but they once again emerged the losing party in a legal battle. The EFA could only fine Geddo EGP 2.2 million for signing contracts with two clubs at the same time, citing its internal regulations which do not include suspension in such cases. The talented forward, who was a peripheral figure until he made a stunning impact at the Nations Cup to finish as the tournament's top scorer with five goals, is certainly relieved to have escaped a ban that would have nearly forced him to miss half of Ahli's Egyptian Premier League campaign. Ahli, although they objected to the fine which they believe was unnecessary, are also likely to breath a sigh of relief at having the player available for the beginning of their title defense. Bitter Foe Zamalek are the ones who will lick their wounds after failing in another duel with the EFA, which has now become their bitter foe. "We were not surprised after learning the decision not to suspend Geddo," Zamalek's football director Ibrahim Hassan, who needed help from the EFA to have his own ban lifted by the Union of North African Football Federations (UNAF), said.
Ibrahim Hassan hits out at the EFA "This is always the case. The EFA takes any decision that comes against the interests of our club." Zamalek were already at loggerheads with the Samir Zaher-led association over a number of issues including last season's infamous saga of Harras Hodoud forward Ahmed Eid. Eid scored the opener in a 2-1 league victory over Zamalek despite being ineligible to play due to suspension but the EFA still upheld Hodoud's win after months of hesitation as to what action it should take. Its failure to overturn the result or replay the game prompted a Zamalek outcry, with chairman Mamdouh Abbas branding the EFA members 'rats' and the team's hard-core fans staging a protest in front of the ruling body's headquarters. Zamalek were also infuriated after two of their players, Hazem Emam and Alaa Ali, were handed eight and three game bans respectively for their role in an ugly scuffle following the end of a league game against Police Union. The Geddo verdict was another unhappy ending for the White Knights, whose hostile relationship with the EFA seems beyond repair. "The bias of the EFA has become normal. We were wrong when he gave up our rights in the issue of Harras Hodoud last season," Zamalek vice-president Raouf Gasser commented. One Color Zamalek believe the EFA adopts a scheme to favor Cairo neighbors Ahli, who are the most popular club in Egypt, in any legal battle both sides are involved in.
Geddo ruling angers Zamalek Such a feeling is not new for Zamalek but it has been widened in recent years after some outspoken figures, including former chairman Mortada Mansour and current coach Hossam Hassan, took charge of the club's football affairs. The likes of Mansour and Hassan were more vociferous than their predecessors when pursuing 'the club's rights'. "What happened in the Geddo issue proves that the EFA serves the interest of one color," Ibrahim Hassan, the twin brother of coach Hossam, said in reference to Ahli. The EFA constantly rejects Zamalek's accusations of favoritism. One of its board members, Hazem Al-Hawari, publicly said that the association features four ex-Zamalek players and as many ex-Ahli players in an attempt to underline the 'fairness' of Geddo's decision. The EFA just admitted that it needed to toughen the sanctions it imposes on the culprits in similar cases in the near future. "We have to admit that there are deficiencies in our regulations," EFA vice-president Hani Abou-Reida said. Zamalek are unlikely to end their long-lasting feud with the EFA though. Seeking the justice they believe is missing, the 11-time Egyptian champions vowed to take the Geddo matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
