Without seeking justice, the Egyptian FA tried to please all the parties involved in the protracted transfer saga of Mohamed Nagi 'Geddo' but the governing body's strategy hugely backfired. Egypt forward Geddo illegally inked two contracts with Zamalek and Ittihad in the January transfer window before joining Ahli on another deal this summer. A ban seemed to be inevitable for a while. However, the 26-year-old has only been handed a small fine; a sanction that caused the FA to get into hot water. "A decision has been taken unanimously to fine Geddo EGP 2.2 million," FA board member Magdi Abdul-Ghani said. "Zamalek will be given an EGP 1.2 million because they paid that amount to Geddo. "Geddo will also have to pay an additional EGP 1 million to the EFA as a penalty for signing for two clubs at the same time. "The EFA regulations state that a player who signs for two clubs must be fined. The punishments in such cases do not include any bans though." The contentious decision was as a feeble attempt from the FA to contain the situation and put an end to the most notorious move in Egypt these days. The FA naively thought that such a controversial punishment will give a piece of mind to both clubs. Ahli for Geddo avoided suspension, Zamalek because of getting their money back.
The FA naively thought that such a controversial punishment will give a piece of mind to both clubs. Ahli for Geddo avoided suspension, Zamalek because of getting their money back. However, neither Ahli nor Zamalek were satisfied with the debatable judgment, not to mention the wrath of the sport pundits. From Zamalek's point of view, the fine imposed on Geddo is an official acknowledgement that the international ace signed two authentic deals with as many clubs at the same time. They rightfully took a swipe at the FA because such an infringement should have resulted in suspension and a form of moral or financial compensation for the White Knights. "The players in Egypt will not honor their contracts anymore," Zamalek football director Ibrahim Hassan commented. "Such lenient sanctions will encourage them to violate the deals they signed whenever they want to," he added. Ahli expressed some disgruntlement with the FA's ruling too, although Geddo will not spend a day on the sidelines! The Red Devils, who stressed on many occasions that they had landed Geddo through 'legal avenues', believe that their new recruit should not have been sanctioned at all. "The contract the player penned with Zamalek is not legitimate. He should not have been sanctioned for that reason," Ahli's legal advisor Helmi Abdul-Razek stated.
Geddo's sanction does not verify any side of the story, it just proves once again that the FA is completely incompetent and unable to render any fair or decisive judgment. "The EFA's role is now finished. We will go to the civil courts to prove that Geddo's contract with Zamalek is not legitimate." A real disaster was the way the FA's officials ended the struggle between the Cairo duo. They kept many vital details hidden, presumably not to give anybody the opportunity to question their discretion. But as a matter of fact, the secrecy surrounding Geddo's contract with Zamalek is what allowed both clubs to hit out at the FA afterwards. Zamalek claimed that a EGP 30 million release clause in Geddo's contract should have been invoked, saying they will file another complaint to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). On the other hand, Ahli claimed the opposite and also want to escalate the matter. Meanwhile, the FA expectedly held its tongue, trying to avoid more embarrassment. Geddo's sanction does not verify any side of the story. It just proves once again that the FA is completely incompetent and unable to render any fair or decisive judgment.
