23.06.2009 - EL-HADARY AND FC SION APPEAL TO the CAS

Lausanne, 23 June 2009 - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered two appeals, one filed by the Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, and the second by FC Sion (Switzerland) against the decision of the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber of 16 April 2009. The FIFA decision imposes on both Appellants the joint payment of a compensation of EUR 900'000.- to the Egyptian club Al-Ahly, orders a 4-month period of ineligibility on the player and bans FC Sion from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the next two transfer periods.

Essam El-Hadary and FC Sion both request the CAS to stay the FIFA decision pending the resolution of this matter.

This procedure will be conducted in accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration and a procedural calendar will be established as soon as possible after consultation with the parties. As a general rule, the CAS rules on requests for a stay or for provisional measures within days and renders its final decisions within 4 months from the filing of the appeal.