World football governing body, FIFA, has said Zamalek of Egypt will be handed a transfer ban at the end of March unless the Cairo club pays Benjamin Acheampong a sum of US$1 million as ruled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in December, 2020.
Acheampong, born on 15 May, 1990, is a Ghanaian professional striker and member of the Ghana national team.
The FIFA media outlet said, “After one successful season with El-Dakhleya, Acheampong earned himself a move to Zamalek. However, his time with the Whites was forgettable appearing in only six games during which he scored two goals, spending a short loan at Petrojet, before seeing his contract terminated.”
Following his departure, the striker filed a complaint against Zamalek to CAS, claiming that he has had several outstanding salary payments, and the court eventually ruled in his favour.
The Egyptian Professional Committee has since received the letter conveying the decision from FIFA and the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG) which indicated that Zamalek is obliged to pay the 30-year-old striker U$1.150 million, in addition to part of the legal fees.
The club claimed Acheampong signed a settlement agreement, but CAS believes it was invalid as the player signed it under “straitened circumstances”. The situation was further compounded when the Egyptian club failed to show up for the hearing, making an excuse that ‘the person managing the club’s email address had left’.
After receiving CAS’ decision, FIFA announced in an official statement that Zamalek is obliged to pay Acheampong or risk a transfer ban. “Zamalek Sports Club is granted a final deadline of 30 days as from notification of the present decision in which to settle said amount,” FIFA’s Disciplinary Department stated.
It warned, “Upon expiry of the aforementioned final deadline and in the event of persistent default or failure to comply in full with the decision within the period stipulated, a transfer ban will be pronounced until the complete amount due is paid”.
