In Riyadh, on December 18, 2023, the legal team representing Moroccan player Abderrazak Hamdallah, famed for his tenure with Al-Ittihad football team, has initiated talks aimed at exploring the possibility of settling the well-known dispute, commonly referred to as the “Registration Case,” with the management of Al-Nassr Football Club. According to exclusive sources disclosed to “Al Riyadh” sports news, both parties are actively seeking a resolution to this protracted conflict, which has found its way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In November 2021, Al-Nassr management announced the termination of Hamdallah’s contract due to contractual issues, leading to the escalation of the legal battle. Subsequently, FIFA issued a ruling affirming the player’s entitlements and the reimbursement of amounts deducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Al-Nassr club officially submitted an appeal to CAS in May 2022, challenging FIFA’s decisions made in October 2022 regarding Hamdallah’s case. The appeal emphasized the significance of introducing audio recordings illustrating negotiations between Hamdallah and Al-Ittihad’s management during the player’s contract with Al-Nassr, a point overlooked by FIFA in its previous decision.
According to the same source, there is a real opportunity to reach an agreement to settle the dispute and close this contentious chapter before CAS delivers its verdict, reflecting the parties’ commitment to resolving the conflict amicably.
The financial dispute persists, with Hamdallah demanding €8.8 million, while Al-Nassr seeks to set the amount at €9.5 million. Despite Al-Nassr’s assurance of settling outstanding payments amounting to approximately €3.3 million, unresolved differences linger, necessitating a settlement to bring an end to this prolonged dispute.
In August 2022, the Professional and Players’ Affairs Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation issued a decision to suspend Hamdallah for four months and impose fines. Several individuals associated with the case faced penalties. The issue remains unresolved, awaiting a decision from the CAS on the dispute settlement.
