Final Verdict: Egyptian Court Ends Al Ahly’s Legal Battle Against Abdallah El-Said

Court of Cassation rejects Al Ahly’s final appeal in long-running $2M compensation case

Final Verdict: Egyptian Court Ends Al Ahly’s Legal Battle Against Abdallah El-Said

The long standing legal dispute between Al Ahly SC and former player Abdallah El Said's officially ended after Egypt’s Court of Cassation issued final ruling rejecting the club’s appeal.

Case Timeline: From Jeddah to Zamalek

The conflict began after El Said left Al Ahly in 2018 to join Al Ahli Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. He returned to the Egyptian league via Pyramids in Jan 2019 before signing with Zamalek in 2024.

Al Ahly demanded 2 million Dollar in compensation citing tripartite agreement with the Saudi club & the player which included clause obligating El Said to pay that amount if he returned to Egyptian club other than Al Ahly.

🟨محكمة النقض تؤيد بطلان تنفيذ حكم الأهلي ضد عبدالله السعيد.. والقضية تُغلق نهائيًا pic.twitter.com/gUMKQ6gXHB

— B Sports - الرياضي (@BSportsX) July 29, 2025

Legal Back and Forth Ends in Player’s Favor

El Said’s lawyer, Hany Zahran confirmed:

"The legal dispute is over. The Court of Cassation ruled in favor of El Said. All cases filed against him both locally & internationally are now closed"

The saga began in 2019 when Al Ahly lodged complaint to the Egyptian FA which declined jurisdiction due to the involvement of foreign club. Al Ahly then took the case to Egypt’s Sports Settlement Center demanding compensation.

In May 2022, the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS ruled that the center lacked authority and canceled all financial claims.

In Aug 2023, Cairo’s Court of Appeal annulled prior ruling allowing Al Ahly to freeze El Said’s local bank assets confirming the invalidity of the arbitration decision.

Finally, in Jun 2023, CAS reaffirmed its position dismissing Al Ahly’s 2M dollar claim and ordering the club to cover 75% of the legal costs.