Labour Disputes
Texto da decisão
REF. FPSD-22395
Decision of the
Dispute Resolution Chamber
passed on 26 March 2026
regarding an employment-related dispute concerning the player Omar Faraj
COMPOSITION:
Clifford J. HENDEL (USA & France), Deputy Chairperson
Khadija TIMERA (Senegal), Member
Oleg ZADUBROVSKIY (Russia), Member
CLAIMANT:
Omar Faraj, Sweden
Represented by Didem Sunna
RESPONDENT:
Zamalek, Egypt
pg. 2
REF. FPSD-22395
I. Facts of the case
1.
On 3 September 2024, the Swedish player Omar Faraj (hereinafter: the Claimant or the
Player) and the Egyptian club Zamalek (hereinafter: the Respondent or the Club) concluded
an employment contract (hereinafter: the Contract) valid until the end of the season
2027/2028.
2.
Based on the most up-to-date information available in the Transfer Matching System
(hereinafter: TMS), the relevant season dates in Egypt are the following:
3.
4.
•
The 2024/2025 season started on 31 August 2024 and ended on 10 June 2025.
•
The 2025/2026 season started on 11 June 2025 and will end on 31 May 2026.
•
The 2026/2027 season is expected to start on 1 June 2026 and end on 31 May 2027.
•
The 2027/2028 season is expected to start on 1 June 2027 and end on 31 May 2028.
In accordance with the Contract, the Respondent undertook to pay the Claimant as follows:
•
USD 400,000 for the season 2024/2025 in four instalments of USD 100,000, namely
on 1 September 2024, 1 January 2025, 1 April 2025 and 1 July 2025.
•
USD 500,000 for the season 2025/2026 in four instalments of USD 125,000, namely
on 1 September 2025, 1 January 2026, 1 April 2026 and 1 July 2026.
•
USD 550,000 for the season 2026/2027 in four instalments of USD 137,500, namely
on 1 September 2026, 1 January 2027, 1 April 2027 and 1 July 2027.
•
USD 600,000 for the season 2027/2028 in four instalments of USD 150,000, namely
on 1 September 2027, 1 January 2028, 1 April 2028 and 1 July 2028.
In addition, the Contract stipulated the following (quoted verbatim):
“[…] Every season during the Contract duration: The player will be eligible to receive the following
special bonuses subject to the winning the relevant competitions as per the below schedule with
an aggregate of 55,000 (fifty thousand USD).
A. the Egyptian football league 10,000 USD (Ten thousand USD)
B. the Egypt Cup 5,000 USD (five thousand USD)
C. the African Confederation Cup 10,000 (Ten thousand USD)
D. the Egyptian Super Cup 5,000 USD (five thousand USD)
E. the African CAF Super Cup 10,000 (Ten thousand USD)
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REF. FPSD-22395
F. if the player scores aggregate 15 goal in all competitions 15,000 USD (fifteen thousand USD)
*every season the player receive an amount of 30,000 EGP, per month throughout the year as
a housing allowance.
*The player will get 2 business-class round trip tickets per season
*all due amount according to this Contract were calculated in NET after estimating and
deducting all fees and taxes arising from it due to the player.
[…]
*The club provides a car to the player during the duration of his contract. […]”
5.
On 11 January 2025, the Claimant and the Respondent concluded an agreement to settle
their obligations under the Contract (hereinafter: the Settlement Agreement).
6.
The Settlement Agreement read, inter alia, as follows (quoted verbatim):
“[…] Article - 2:
The Parties, agreed to reschedule the financial entitlements due to the Player under the
Employment Contract for season 2024/2025 as from 1 January 2025 during the Loan period that
The Player, is entitled to for a net amount of USD 300,000, for the rest of the season (2024-2025).
The Parties, agreed that this amount will be rescheduled and settled as follow during the Loan
period that the Player will be receiving salary from his new Club and Zamalek will be only obliged
to make the following payments to the Player for season 2024/2025 as from the date of this
agreement:1 - USD 70,000 will be paid by Zamalek SC to the Player, On 31/5/2025.
2 - USD 115,000, will be paid by Zamalek SC to the Player, On 10/2/2025, (or once the Loan Fee
due from (Degerforse DIF Club) received by Zamalek SC's through Zamalek SC's Bank Account to
be delivered to The Player.
3 - USD 115,000, The Player, accepted to to waive or not to be received from Zamalek SC during
the Loan Period from the remaining salaries of the Player in season 2024/2025.
Article - 3
1 - The Player has no entitlement to claim any amount from the Club other than the due amount
of 185,00 clause in season 2024/2025 mentioned in clause 2, and this agreement is considered
as financial disclaimer for both Parties.
2 - The loan agreement between Zamalek Sporting Club and Degerfors IF Club implies an Option
to Buy condition that is granted to Degerfors IF Club and that could be activated at the end of
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REF. FPSD-22395
the loan period by Degerfors IF Club, The Player accepts to be transferred on a Permanent Basis
if Degerfors IF Club activates the Option to Buy condition at the end of the Loan period And
confirms he agreed on his personal employment terms with Degerfors IF Club in case the Option
to Buy is activated.
3 - This agreement forms an integral part of "The Player" employment contract with the "The
Club" signed on 3 September 2024 and the Loan Agreement between Zamalek Sporting Club and
Degerfors IF Club signed by the Parties […]”
7.
Based on TMS, on 13 January 2025, the Respondent concluded an agreement with the
Swedish club Degerfors IF regarding the loan transfer of the Claimant (hereinafter: the Loan
Agreement) from the Respondent to Degerfors IF, valid as from its date of signature until 31
July 2025.
8.
According to the Loan Agreement, Degerfors IF undertook to pay the Respondent USD
115,000 net on 10 February 2025.
9.
On 14 February 2025, Degerfors IF remitted USD 115,000 to the Respondent.
10. On12 September 2025, the Claimant’s legal representative put the Respondent in default
as follows, quoted verbatim:
“[…] Dear Madam/Sir,
As the legal representative of professional football player Omar Mohanad Mostafa Faraj, I make
reference to the Employment Contract dated 3 September 2024 signed between my client and
your club, originally valid for four seasons. (‘Employment Contract’) and Settlement Agreement
dated 11 January 2025. (Settlement Agreement).
1. 2024/2025 SEASON
According to the Employment Contract and for the 2024/2025 football season, your Club agreed
to pay my Client a total salary of USD400.000.-net as follows;
• Net USD100.000.- to be paid on 1 September 2024,
• Net USD100.000.- to be paid on 1 January 2025,
• Net USD100.000.- to be paid on 1 April 2025,
• Net USD100.000.- to be paid on 1 July 2025.
Afterwards and on 11 January 2025, the Parties came together and signed a Settlement
Agreement re-arrange the financial terms. Therefore, your Club agreed to pay my client a total
of Net USD185.000.- as follows;
• Net USD115.000.- to be paid on 10 February 2025,
• Net USD70.000.-to be paid on 31 May 2025.
Additionally and in accordance with the Employment Contract, my client is entitled to receive
the following amounts as well;
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REF. FPSD-22395
• Net USD5.000.- bonus payment for winning Egyptian Cup,
• Net USD10.000.- bonus payment for winning the African CAF Super Cup.
Lastly and again according to the Employment Contract, your Club was obliged to pay a monthly
rent payment in the net amount of EGP30.000.- and to provide a car to the Player during the
duration of the contract.
In this respect the following amounts are payable by today;
• Net EGP150.000.- as five months housing allowance,
• Net EGP200.000.- as five months car expenses.
2. 2025/2026 SEASON
According to the Employment Contract and for the 2025/2026 football season, your Club agreed
to pay my Client a total salary of USD500.000.-net as follows;
• Net USD125.000.- to be paid on 1 September 2025,
• Net USD125.000.- to be paid on 1 January 2026,
• Net USD125.000.- to be paid on 1 April 2026,
• Net USD125.000.- to be paid on 1 July 2026.
I have been informed by my Client that as of today, your Club has failed to complete the total
payment of Net USD210.000.- and Net EGP350.000.- arising from the Employment Contract and
Settlement Agreement.
Considering the foregoing, it is clear that your Club is infringing the economic obligations agreed
with my client and provided in the mentioned Employment Contract and Settlement Agreement
without any justification by failing to pay my client any of his remuneration from the 2024/2025
and 2025/2026 Seasons.
In this regard, it should be clearly highlighted that according to article 14bis. 1 of the FIFA
Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Player (’RSTP’);
"In the case of a club unlawfully failing to pay a player at least two monthly salaries on their due
dates, the player will be deemed to have a just cause to terminate his contract, provided that he
has put the debtor club in default in writing and has granted a deadline of at least 15 days for
the debtor club to fully comply with its financial obligation(s). Alternative provisions in contracts
existing at the time of this provision coming into force may be considered."
The total overdue salary of my client until the date hereof represents the amount of net
USD210.000.- and net EGP350.000.- .
Therefore, I hereby notify you, in accordance with article 14bis of the FIFA RSTP, to pay my client
the total overdue sum of net USD210.000.- and net EGP350.000.- as well as the accrued interest
on the relevant amounts within 15 days as from the receipt of this letter via electronic mail. My
Client reserves his right to terminate the Employment Contract for just cause in the event of lack
pg. 6
REF. FPSD-22395
of payment or partial payment and claim the overdue amounts as well as termination
compensation. […]”
11. On 7 October 2025, the Claimant’s legal representative unilaterally terminated the
Contract, citing overdue payables.
II. Proceedings before FIFA
12. On 19 December 2025, the Claimant filed the claim at hand before FIFA. A summary of the
parties’ respective positions is detailed below.
a. Claim of the Claimant
13. In his claim, the Claimant argued that he terminated the Contract with just cause due to
outstanding remuneration.
14. In this respect, the Player stated that, on the date of termination of his employment
relationship with the Club, his outstanding remuneration under the Contract and the
Settlement Agreement corresponded to USD 210,000 net and EGP 350,000 as detailed
below:
•
USD 70,000 as the second instalment under the Settlement Agreement.
•
USD 125,000 as the first instalment of the Contract for the season 2025/2026.
•
USD 5,000 as the bonus under the Contract for winning the Egyptian Cup.
•
USD 10,000 as the bonus under the Contract for winning the African CAF Super Cup.
•
EGP 150,000 as the monthly housing allowances under the Contract from May to
September 2025.
•
EGP 200,000 as the monthly car expenses under the Contract from May to
September 2025.
15. Having stated the above, the Claimant’s requests for relief were the following:
“1. To accept the claims of Omar Mohanad Mostafa Faraj,
2. To condemn Zamalek Sporting Club to pay in favour of the Claimant the total unpaid and
overdue payment of USD210.000.- and Net EGP350.000.- along with the interest rate of 5% p.a.
starting from the below due dates until the date of effective payment;
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REF. FPSD-22395
•Net USD70.000.- along with its interest of 5% p.a. starting from 31 May 2025 until the date of
effective payment,
•Net USD125.000.- along with its interest of 5% p.a. starting from 1 September 2025 until the
date of effective payment,
•Net USD5.000.- along with its interest of 5% p.a. starting from 5 June 2025 until the date of
effective payment,
•Net USD10.000.- along with its interest of 5% p.a. starting from 27 September 2024 until the
date of effective payment,
•Net EGP150.000.- along with its interest of 5% p.a. starting from 7 October 2025 until the date
of effective payment,
•Net EGP200.000.- along with its interest of 5% p.a. starting from 7 October 2025 until the date
of effective payment,
3. To condemn Zamalek Sporting Club to pay in favor of the Claimant the total compensation of
Net USD1.525.000,00.- (One Million Five Hundred Twenty Five Thousand American Dollars) along
with its interest of 5% p.a. starting from 7 October 2025 until the date of effective payment.
4. To establish that the costs of the present arbitration procedure shall be borne by the
Respondent.”
b. Reply of the Respondent
16. Despite being invited to do so and being granted an extension of the deadline to reply to
the Claimant’s claim, the Respondent failed to do so.
c. Subsequent contractual situation of the Claimant
17. Based on the information on TMS, on an unspecified date, the Player concluded a new
employment contract with the Swedish club Halmstads BK, valid as from 1 February 2026
until 1 August 2028. Accordingly, the Player is entitled to a monthly salary of SEK 45,000.
III. Considerations of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
a. Competence and applicable legal framework
18. First of all, the Dispute Resolution Chamber (hereinafter: the Chamber or the DRC) analysed
whether it was competent to deal with the case at hand. In this respect, it took note that
the present matter was presented to FIFA on 19 December 2025 and submitted for decision
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REF. FPSD-22395
on 26 March 2026. Taking into account the wording of arts. 32 and 35 of the January 2026
edition of the Procedural Rules Governing the Football Tribunal (hereinafter: the Procedural
Rules), the aforementioned edition of the Procedural Rules is applicable to the matter at
hand.
19. Furthermore, the Chamber referred to art. 2 par. 1 of the Procedural Rules and observed
that in accordance with art. 23 par. 1 in combination with art. 22 par. 1 lit. b) of the
Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (hereinafter: the Regulations) (July 2025
edition), it is competent to deal with the matter at stake, which concerns an employmentrelated dispute with an international dimension between an Swedish player and a Egyptian
club.
20. Subsequently, the Chamber analysed which regulations should be applicable as to the
substance of the matter. In this respect, it confirmed that, in accordance with art. 29 of the
Regulations, the July 2025 edition of the Regulations is applicable to the matter at hand as
to the substance.
b. Burden of proof
21. The Chamber recalled the basic principle of burden of proof, as stipulated in art. 13
par. 5 of the Procedural Rules, according to which a party claiming a right on the basis of
an alleged fact shall carry the respective burden of proof. Likewise, the Chamber stressed
the wording of art. 13 par. 4 of the Procedural Rules, pursuant to which it may consider
evidence not filed by the parties, including without limitation the evidence generated by or
within TMS.
c. Merits of the dispute
22. Having established the competence and the applicable regulations, the Chamber entered
into the merits of the dispute. In this respect, the Chamber started by acknowledging all
the above-mentioned facts as well as the arguments and the documentation on file.
However, the Chamber emphasised that in the following considerations it will refer only to
the facts, arguments and documentary evidence, which it considered pertinent for
assessing the matter at hand.
i. Main legal discussion and considerations
23. The Chamber then moved to the substance of the matter and took note of the fact that on
one hand the Claimant argued that he terminated the Contract with just cause due to
outstanding remuneration.
24. On the other hand, the Chamber took note that the Club did not respond to the claim,
entailing that its decision must be made on the basis of the documentation on file, that is,
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REF. FPSD-22395
the argumentation and evidence filed by the Claimant in line with art. 21 par. 1 of the
Procedural Rules.
25. In this context, the Chamber acknowledged that its task was to determine, based on the
evidence presented by the parties, whether the claimed amounts had in fact remained
unpaid by the Respondent and, if so, whether the formal pre-requisites of art. 14bis of the
Regulations had in fact been fulfilled.
26. The Chamber then referred to the wording of art. 14bis par. 1 of the Regulations, in
accordance with which, if a club unlawfully fails to pay a player at least two monthly salaries
on their due dates, the player will be deemed to have a just cause to terminate his contract,
provided that he has put the debtor club in default in writing and has granted a deadline
of at least 15 days for the debtor club to fully comply with its financial obligation(s).
27. With the above in mind, the Chamber recalled the facts below:
•
•
•
According to the Contract, the Player was entitled to the following remuneration:
-
USD 400,000 for the season 2024/2025 in four instalments of USD 100,000,
namely on 1 September 2024, 1 January 2025, 1 April 2025 and 1 July 2025.
-
USD 500,000 for the season 2025/2026 in four instalments of USD 125,000,
namely on 1 September 2025, 1 January 2026, 1 April 2026 and 1 July 2026.
-
USD 550,000 for the season 2026/2027 in four instalments of USD 137,500,
namely on 1 September 2026, 1 January 2027, 1 April 2027 and 1 July 2027.
-
USD 600,000 for the season 2027/2028 in four instalments of USD 150,000,
namely on 1 September 2027, 1 January 2028, 1 April 2028 and 1 July 2028.
On 11 January 2025, as part of the Settlement Agreement, the Player’s
remuneration under the Contract for the season 2024/2025 was reduced to USD
185,000 for the second, third and fourth instalments.
-
The Club undertook to pay the Player USD 115,000 on 10 February 2025 or
once the Club receives USD 115,000 from Degerfors IF under the Loan
Agreement.
-
The Club undertook to pay the Player USD 70,000 on 31 May 2025.
On 13 January 2025, the Club concluded the Loan Agreement with Degerfors IF
regarding the loan transfer of the Player from the Club to Degerfors IF, valid as from
its date of signature until 31 July 2025.
pg. 10
REF. FPSD-22395
•
On 14 February 2025, Degerfors IF remitted USD 115,000 to the Club.
•
On 12 September 2025, the Player put the Club in default and requested payment
within 15 days of USD 210,000 net and EGP 350,000 net, as detailed below:
-
USD 70,000 as the second instalment of the Settlement Agreement.
-
USD 5,000 as the bonus under the Contract for winning the Egyptian Cup.
-
USD 10,000 as the bonus under the Contract for winning the African CAF
Super Cup.
-
USD 125,000 as the first instalment of the Contract for the season
2025/2026.
-
EGP 150,000 as the monthly housing allowances under the Contract from
May to September 2025.
-
EGP 200,000 as the monthly car expenses under the Contract from May to
September 2025.
28. After analysing the evidence on file as well as the wording of the Contract and the
Settlement Agreement, the Chamber found that on the date of the Player’s default notice
to the Club, i.e., 12 September 2025, he was entitled to the following outstanding amounts:
•
USD 70,000 as the second instalment of the Settlement Agreement.
•
USD 125,000 as the first instalment of the Contract for the season 2025/2026.
•
EGP 60,000 as the monthly housing allowances under the Contract for August and
September 2025.
29. In this respect, the Chamber recalled the content of art. 13 par. 5 of the Procedural Rules,
according to which a party that asserts a fact has the burden of proving it. Accordingly, the
Chamber considered that (i) the Player failed to provide any evidence of his entitlement to
the requested bonuses and (ii) there was no contractual basis for the Player to be
reimbursed car expenses as the Contract stipulated that the Club would provide him a car
during the duration of their employment relationship. In any event, the Chamber
underlined that the Player did not provide any evidence in support of his request for
reimbursement of EGP 200,000 allegedly corresponding to five monthly car expenses
under the Contract.
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REF. FPSD-22395
30. With respect to the Player’s request seeking payment from the Club of EGP 150,000 in
monthly housing allowances under the Contract for the period from May to September
2025, the Chamber recalled the following wording of the Settlement Agreement:
“[…] The Player has no entitlement to claim any amount from the Club other than the due
amount of 185,00 clause in season 2024/2025 mentioned in clause 2, and this agreement is
considered as financial disclaimer for both Parties. […]”
31. In accordance with the foregoing wording of the Settlement Agreement and the fact that
the Player was on loan to Degerfors IF from 13 January to 31 July 2025, the Chamber
considered that he was only entitled to monthly housing allowances under the Contract for
August and September 2025.
32. In continuation, the Chamber referred to the wording of art. 14bis par. 2 of the Regulations
and pointed out that the Player’s salary under the Contract was not due on a monthly basis.
In this respect, the Chamber calculated the pro-rata value of the Player’s remuneration
under the Contract for its entire duration and concluded that he was entitled to
approximately USD 43,000 as an average monthly salary:
•
Total value of the Contract = USD 1,935,000 given the wording of the Settlement
Agreement which amended his remuneration for the season 2024/2025 to USD
285,000.
•
Based on the most up-to-date information on TMS, the Chamber established that
the duration of the Contract is 45 months, from September 2024 to May 2028.
•
USD 1,935,000 / 45 months
33. Accordingly, the Chamber considered that the Player had more than two outstanding
monthly salaries on the date of his default notice to the Club, i.e., 12 September 2025.
34. The Chamber further noted that, in the case at hand, the Respondent bore the burden of
proving that it indeed complied with the financial terms of the Contract and the Settlement
concluded with the Claimant. Nonetheless, the Chamber observed that the Respondent
failed to provide any evidence to prove the payment of the amounts claimed as
outstanding by the Claimant.
35. Likewise, the Chamber held that, although the Claimant was on loan from 13 January to 31
July 2025, i.e., prior to the time of the termination of the Contract, the parties had clearly
and expressly agreed that the Contract would not be fully suspended. In particular, the
Chamber emphasized that the Respondent had undertaken specific financial obligations
towards the Claimant during the loan period, which it subsequently failed to fulfil.
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REF. FPSD-22395
36. Thus, the Chamber decided that the Claimant had just cause to unilaterally terminate the
Contract, based on art. 14bis of the Regulations.
ii. Consequences
37. Having stated the above, the Chamber turned its attention to the question of the
consequences of such unjustified breach of contract committed by the Respondent.
38. The Chamber observed that the Player’s outstanding remuneration under the Contract at
the time of its termination, as well as under the Settlement Agreement, amounted to the
following:
•
USD 70,000 as the second instalment of the Settlement Agreement;
•
USD 125,000 as the first instalment of the Contract for the season 2025/2026; and
•
EGP 60,000 as the monthly housing allowances under the Contract for August and
September 2025.
39. As a consequence, and in accordance with the general legal principle of pacta sunt servanda,
the Chamber decided that the Respondent is liable to pay to the Claimant the outstanding
amounts under the Contract and the Settlement Agreement, i.e., USD 195,000 and EGP
60,000.
40. In addition, taking into consideration the Claimant’s request as well as the constant practice
of the Football Tribunal in this regard, the Chamber decided to award the Claimant interest
at the rate of 5% p.a. on the outstanding amounts as follows:
•
Over the amount of USD 70,000 as from 1 June 2025 until the date of effective
payment;
•
Over the amount of USD 125,000 as from 2 September 2025 until the date of
effective payment; and
•
Over the amount of EGP 60,000 as from 7 October 2025 until the date of effective
payment.
41. Having stated the above, the Chamber turned to the calculation of the amount of
compensation payable by the Respondent in the case at stake. In doing so, the Chamber
firstly recapitulated that, in accordance with art. 17 par. 1 of the Regulations, the amount
of compensation shall be calculated, in particular and unless otherwise provided for in the
contract at the basis of the dispute, taking into account the damage suffered, according to
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REF. FPSD-22395
the “positive interest” principle, having regard for the individual facts and circumstances of
each case, and with due consideration for the law of the country concerned.
42. In application of the relevant provision, the Chamber held that it first of all had to clarify as
to whether the pertinent employment contract contained a provision by means of which
the parties had beforehand agreed upon an amount of compensation payable by the
contractual parties in the event of breach of contract. In this regard, the Chamber
established that no such compensation clause was included in the employment contract at
the basis of the matter at stake.
43. As a consequence, the Chamber determined that the amount of compensation payable by
the Club to the Player had to be assessed in application of the other parameters set out in
art. 17, par. 1 of the Regulations. In this respect, the Chamber recalled that, as a general
rule, the compensation to be paid to a player by a club shall be equal to the residual value
of the contract that was prematurely terminated, unless this player signed a new contract
following the termination of his previous contract (cf., art. 17 par. 1 lit. i) of the Regulations).
44. Bearing in mind the foregoing as well as the claim of the Claimant, the Chamber proceeded
with the calculation of the monies payable to the Claimant under the terms of the Contract
from the date of its unilateral termination until its end date. Consequently, the Chamber
concluded that the amount of USD 1,525,000 serves as the basis for the determination of
the amount of compensation for breach of contract, broken down as follows:
•
USD 375,000 for the 2025/2026 season;
•
USD 550,000 for the 2026/2027 season; and
•
USD 600,000 for the 2027/2028 season.
45. In continuation, the Chamber verified as to whether the Claimant had signed an
employment contract with another club during the relevant period of time, by means of
which he would have been enabled to reduce his loss of income. According to the constant
practice of the DRC as well as art. 17 par. 1 lit. ii) of the Regulations, such remuneration
under a new employment contract shall be taken into account in the calculation of the
amount of compensation for breach of contract in connection with the general obligation
to mitigate his damages.
46. In this respect, the Chambre took note that the Player found employment with Halmstads
BK, according to which he will mitigate his damages in the amount of SEK 1,260,000, which
corresponds to USD 141,241 on 1 February 2026, i.e., the date on which he started
performing his obligations under his new employment contract. In fact, the Chamber
considered that, in accordance with his new employment contract with Halmstads BK, the
Player is entitled to a monthly salary of SEK 45,000 for the overlapping period from 1
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REF. FPSD-22395
February 2026 until 31 May 2028, i.e., the most up-to-date information on TMS regarding
the end date of the season 2027/2028 in Egypt.
47. Subsequently, the Chamber referred to art. 17 par. 1 lit. ii) of the Regulations, according to
which a player is entitled to an amount corresponding to three monthly salaries as
additional compensation should the termination of the employment contract at stake be
due to overdue payables. In the case at hand, the Chamber confirmed that the Contract
termination took place due to said reason, i.e., overdue payables by the Respondent and
therefore decided that the Claimant shall receive additional compensation.
48. In this respect, the DRC decided to award the amount of additional compensation of USD
122,333.33, i.e., three times the monthly remuneration of the Player under the Contract
considering the pro rata calculation established above.
49. Consequently, on account of all the above-mentioned considerations and the specificities
of the case at hand, the Chamber decided that the Respondent must pay the amount of
USD 1,506,092.33 to the Claimant (i.e., USD 1,525,000 minus USD 141,241 plus USD
122,333.33), which was to be considered a reasonable and justified amount of
compensation for breach of contract in the present matter.
50. Lastly, taking into consideration the Claimant’s request as well as the constant practice of
the Football Tribunal in this regard, the Chamber decided to award the Claimant interest
on said compensation at the rate of 5% p.a. as from 7 October 2025 until the date of
effective payment.
iii. Compliance with monetary decisions
51. Finally, taking into account the applicable Regulations, the Chamber referred to art. 24 par.
1 and 2 of the Regulations, which stipulate that, with its decision, the pertinent FIFA
deciding body shall also rule on the consequences deriving from the failure of the
concerned party to pay the relevant amounts of outstanding remuneration and/or
compensation in due time.
52. In this regard, the DRC highlighted that, against clubs, the consequence of the failure to
pay the relevant amounts in due time shall consist of a ban from registering any new
players, either nationally or internationally, up until the due amounts are paid. The overall
maximum duration of the registration ban shall be of up to three entire and consecutive
registration periods.
53. Therefore, bearing in mind the above, the DRC decided that the Respondent must pay the
full amount due (including all applicable interest) to the Claimant within 45 days of
notification of the decision, failing which, at the request of the Claimant, a ban from
registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the maximum duration
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REF. FPSD-22395
of three entire and consecutive registration periods shall become immediately effective on
the Respondent in accordance with art. 24 par. 2, 4, and 7 of the Regulations.
54. The Respondent shall make full payment (including all applicable interest) to the bank
account provided by the Claimant in the Bank Account Registration Form, which is attached
to the present decision.
55. The DRC recalled that the above-mentioned ban will be lifted immediately and prior to its
complete serving upon payment of the due amounts, in accordance with art. 24 par. 8 of
the Regulations.
d. Costs
56. The Chamber referred to art. 25 par. 1 of the Procedural Rules, according to which
“Procedures are free of charge where at least one of the parties is a player, coach, football agent,
or match agent”. Accordingly, the Chamber decided that no procedural costs were to be
imposed on the parties.
57. Likewise, and for the sake of completeness, the Chamber recalled the contents of art. 25
par. 8 of the Procedural Rules and decided that no procedural compensation shall be
awarded in these proceedings.
58. Lastly, the DRC concluded its deliberations by rejecting any other requests for relief made
by any of the parties.
pg. 16
REF. FPSD-22395
IV. Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber
1.
The claim of the Claimant, Omar Faraj, is partially accepted.
2.
The Respondent, Zamalek, must pay to the Claimant the following amounts:
- USD 195,000 as outstanding remuneration plus 5% interest p.a. as follows:
- 5% interest p.a. over the amount of USD 70,000 as from 1 June 2025 until the date of
effective payment; and
- 5% interest p.a. over the amount of USD 125,000 as from 2 September 2025 until the
date of effective payment.
- EGP 60,000 as outstanding amount plus 5% interest p.a. as from 7 October 2025 until
the date of effective payment.
- USD 1,506,092.33 as compensation for breach of contract plus 5% interest p.a. as from
7 October 2025 until the date of effective payment.
3.
Any further claims of the Claimant are rejected.
4.
Full payment (including all applicable interest) shall be made to the bank account indicated
in the enclosed Bank Account Registration Form.
5.
Pursuant to art. 24 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, if full payment
(including all applicable interest) is not made within 45 days of notification of this decision,
the following consequences shall apply:
1. The Respondent shall be banned from registering any new players, either nationally or
internationally, up until the due amount is paid. The maximum duration of the ban shall
be of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods.
2. The present matter shall be submitted, upon request, to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee
in the event that full payment (including all applicable interest) is still not made by the
end of the three entire and consecutive registration periods.
6.
The consequences shall only be enforced at the request of the Claimant in accordance
with art. 24 par. 7 and 8 and art. 25 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
7.
This decision is rendered without costs.
For the Football Tribunal:
Emilio García Silvero
Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
pg. 17
REF. FPSD-22395
NOTE RELATED TO THE APPEAL PROCEDURE:
According to art. 50 par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes, this decision may be appealed against before
the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the notification of this
decision.
NOTE RELATED TO THE PUBLICATION:
FIFA may publish this decision. For reasons of confidentiality, FIFA may decide, at the request
of a party within five days of the notification of the motivated decision, to publish an
anonymised or a redacted version (cf., art. 17 of the Procedural Rules Governing the Football
Tribunal).
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fédération Internationale de Football Association – Legal & Compliance Division
396 Alhambra Circle, 6th floor, Coral Gables, Miami, Florida, USA 33134
legal.fifa.com | [email protected] | T: +41 (0)43 222 7777
pg. 18