Egypt and Ittihad forward Mohamed Nagi ‘Geddo’ has admitted on Friday signing a contract with Zamalek despite his initial denial.
Zamalek recently said that Geddo penned a deal to join them prior to joining up with Egypt for African Cup of Nations duty.
Geddo, who also extended his contract with Alexandria-based club Ittihad, said lately that he did not agree to move to Zamalek but surprisingly backtracked on his claims few days later.
“Yes, I signed a deal with Zamalek before the Nations Cup. They told me that my signature was necessary to prove that I wanted to join them,” Geddo said in an interview with FilGoal Magazine
INTERVIEW WITH GEDO
“I still have one year and a half remaining on my contract with Ittihad, so I can’t leave without their approval. I also want to remain with Ittihad beyond this season.”
Geddo’s announcement could land him in trouble because he signed for Zamalek and Ittihad at the same time.
Zamalek moved for Geddo after learning that his deal was due to expire at the end of the season. Ittihad later extended that deal.
The White Knights are looking to prove that Geddo signed for them before prolonging his contract with Ittihad.
FIFA’s regulations state that a ‘professional shall be free to conclude a contract with another club if his contract with his present club has expired or will expire within six months’.
Geddo attracted a host of suitors after playing a key role in helping Egypt win an unprecedented third consecutive Nations Cup title.
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He finished as the top scorer with five goals despite not starting any game in the tournament.
No Right
Magdi Abdul-Ghani, the head of the Egyptian FA players committee, insisted Zamalek behaved in an inappropriate way.
“Even if Geddo’s deal was to expire at the end of the season, Zamalek had no right inducing him to sign a deal with them,” he told Modern Sport.
Zamalek football director Ibrahim Hassan hit back at Abdul-Ghani, accusing him of trying to prevent the player from joining his side.
The Cairo club’s relationship with the Egyptian FA is already frosty but it is likely to deteriorate further.
Zamalek clashed with the Egyptian governing body on several occasions this season.
