Suspended sentence

After becoming the find of the Africa Cup of Nations Gedo is now suspended and his future unclear. Ahmed Morsy reports

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Gedo

An investigative committee in the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has begun studying the case of Ahli's new forward star Mohamed "Gedo" Nagi.

Up to the end of last season, Gedo had been playing for Ittihad of Alexandria, after which he was supposed to go to Zamalek, the club he supposedly signed with in mid-season.

But the EFA claimed the deal with Zamalek was null, citing the contract that Gedo signed was not a contract in the legal sense but rather a non-binding statement of intent.

Sensing an opening, Ahli, Zamalek's chief rival, signed Gedo for LE7 million while at the same time sending right-back Ahmed Ali and striker Hani El-Egeizi to Ittihad.

Zamalek complained after the transfer, claiming they had proof the player was theirs and would present it during the investigation.

"Our complaint to the FA is based on three points that prove our right to Gedo," Ashraf Sobhi, Zamalek marketing director, told the FilGoal on-line soccer website.

"First, Gedo signed a new contract with Ittihad in January even though there was a transfer embargo against the club, which means they were not allowed to make contract extensions.

"Ittihad registered Gedo in this season's primary squad, and this is against the regulations because he should have been treated as a new signing.

"Finally, we presented all the documents that include Gedo's signature for us to the FA."

Ahli marketing director Adli El-Qaeyi seemed to be in no doubt regarding the legality of Gedo's presence on Ahli's squad. El-Qaeyi said Ahli's legal situation was clear, having been guaranteed by the FA about the efficacy of signing him up.

He said it was "not appropriate to say Gedo has been cleared, then take action against him."

Following Zamalek's complaint, FA imposed a suspended ban on the Egypt forward. The Players' Affairs Committee suspended the player from playing locally until the questioning ends.

Hani Abu Rida, the FA interim president, has sought full access to the case "to preserve neutrality."

Gedo was the top scorer of the African championship which Egypt won in Angola early this year, netting five goals, all in a substitute's role.

Elsewhere, Sunderland have completed the signing of Egypt international Ahmed El-Muhammadi on a season-long loan from Enppi

The Barclays Premier League club have an option to modify the deal for the 22-year-old to become permanent at the end of the loan spell.

Enppi accepted the ¨500,000 offer from Sunderland this summer, with an option of a permanent sale for ¨2 million next summer. The petroleum club rejected an offer from Sunderland to sign him last January but the English side renewed their interest in the summer to snap him up.

"His pace and direct style will be an asset to us and give the team an extra dimension," Sunderland coach Steve Bruce told BBC.

"He is already an experienced international, which will serve him well as he adjusts to life."

Bruce added: "I expect it will take him time to settle but Ahmed is a player who can have a big impact in this division and we welcome him to the club."

El-Muhammadi, who began his career with Spinning Mehalla, made his first team debut at the age of 17 before moving to Enppi in 2006.

He becomes Sunderland's third signing of the summer, after goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and midfielder Cristian Riveros.

El-Muhammadi will be the only Egyptian playing this season in the Premier League after the expiration of Amr Zaki and Mido's contracts with their clubs.