In the wake of the recent “Alfina” crisis that sent shockwaves through Egypt’s football scene, former Zamalek icon Khaled El-Ghandour has delivered a fierce critique of the nation’s top clubs, accusing them of operating under a veil of secrecy when it comes to disclosing player contracts.
The outspoken football analyst took to his personal Facebook page late Thursday evening, expressing deep frustration over the lack of transparency surrounding transfer dealings and player wages across Egyptian football.
His comments came just hours after the official closure of the 2025 summer transfer window.
“We treat the buying and selling of player contracts as if it were a military secret or religiously forbidden,” El-Ghandour wrote, calling out what he sees as an outdated and opaque culture within Egypt’s football institutions.
“We should not discuss it and the information must remain in a drawer and not be known to the public or media. I wonder why?”
His remarks have added fuel to an already heated debate within sports circles, as fans and pundits continue to question the operational standards of local clubs.
The reference to the “Alfina” crisis – which involved contentious dealings and sparked widespread media scrutiny – has only intensified the urgency of calls for reform.
El-Ghandour went on to contrast Egypt’s secrecy with the open-book policies of leading football nations across Europe, where contract details and transfer fees are often public knowledge.
“Everyone in Europe, the top continent in football, knows the players’ contracts and the price to buy or sell any player,” he added, highlighting a stark difference in football governance between Egypt and its European counterparts.
The comments have resonated widely, with many social media users echoing El-Ghandour’s sentiment and demanding greater transparency from club managements across the Egyptian Premier League.
As the dust settles on a controversial transfer window, the former Zamalek captain’s words are likely to remain at the center of a national conversation on accountability and professionalism in Egyptian football.
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