Zamalek fined by FIFA, ordered to pay late dues to Tunisian fullback Nagguez

Nagguez terminated his contract with Zamalek back in December, claiming that the club failed to fulfill their financial obligations towards him

Cairo giants Zamalek were fined by FIFA for not paying the late financial dues of Tunisian fullback Hamdi Nagguez, who left the club in December after a dispute over his delayed salary.

 

Egyptian Football Association officials confirmed to local media on Wednesday that the EFA received a letter from FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber on Tuesday saying that Zamalek must pay $288,016 in late dues to Nagguez.

 

The letter also said that Zamalek should pay $1,019,355 to the Tunisian international player in compensation for breaching his contract with the club.

 

Nagguez’s departure

 

In December, the 27-year-old defender announced that he had terminated his contract with the Whites, claiming that the club failed to fulfill their financial obligations towards him.

 

On the other hand, Zamalek launched a complaint with FIFA against the player at the time accusing him of going AWOL as his contract was supposed to run until 2022.

 

The player's lawyer Anis bin Mime confirmed on Tuesday that FIFA's ruling came in favour of his client.

 

"FIFA rejected the complaint by Zamalek and ordered the club to pay his late dues as well as a compensation. The club will be facing relegation to a lower division if the they refuse to obey the decision," the player's lawyer told On Time Sports TV channel.

 

According to the chamber's letter published by Egyptian media on Wednesday, Zamalek should pay Nagguez within 45 days, and if they failed to do so, the club will be banned from registering any new players for three consecutive registration periods. The ban will be lifted once the due amounts are paid.

 

Zamalek's lawyer Ahmed Abdel-Fattah told ON Sport that the club has officially been informed of FIFA's decision, adding that they are waiting for the reasons for the judgment before lodging an appeal.

 

Nagguez, who currently plays for Lithuanian club Suduva, joined Zamalek in January 2018 from Tunisian side Etoile du Sahel on a four-year contract.

 

The international fullback made 63 appearances with Zamalek in all competitions, scoring once and providing nine assists.