Cairo giants face new registration freeze
Zamalek faces its biggest opponent: another FIFA sanction hits Egyptian giants
Zamalek SC have been hit with a new transfer ban from FIFA, their fifth active case after a new sanction appeared on the world governing body’s disciplinary portal dated November 24, 2025.
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This latest case imposes a three-window registration ban, worsening the financial and administrative troubles surrounding the Egyptian club.
Importantly, FIFA has not yet revealed the identity of the plaintiff, even though the complaint once again concerns unpaid financial obligations.
The club had previously been banned from registering players due to four separate rulings over the unpaid salaries of former Portugal coach José Gomes’ assistant coaches.
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Egyptian reports indicate that their contributions vary between $60,000 and $70,000 plus interest.
The four bans will be lifted when Zamalek pays the sums owed and the same goes for this fifth case.
This is the fourth time in November alone that the White Knights have been placed on the FIFA sanctions list.
The repeated bans are expected to have a significant impact on the club’s plans for the January transfer window, where reinforcements were initially seen as a key priority.
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Despite the off-field troubles, Zamalek opened their CAF Confederation Cup group stage campaign with a 1-0 win over ZESCO United in Cairo thanks to Seifeddine Jaziri’s goal.
They are now preparing to travel to South Africa for a tough clash against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday in the second round of Group D.
In the Egyptian Premier League, Zamalek occupies 3rd place with 22 points, seven behind leader Al Masry who has played one more match.
The club stuck between results and reality
All these administrative issues affect Zamalek’s competitiveness on the field, as the five active FIFA files limit the club’s ability to build a team.
