FIFA gives Egyptian goalie al-Hadari green light to play for Swiss club

CAIRO, April 18 (Xinhua) -- FIFA has decided to give Egyptian goalkeeper Essam al-Hadari the green light to play for the Swiss club of FC Sion pending a contract dispute between the player and his former club Egypt's Al-Ahly.

The world soccer governing body has given a provisional license for al-Hadari to play with FC Sion, local sports website Filgoal.com reported on Friday.

"We can confirm that the Single Judge of the Players' Status Committee has decided that the Swiss Football Association is authorized to provisionally register the player Essam Al-Hadari with its affiliated club FC Sion with immediate effect," said FIFA in a statement posted on its official website.

"This decision was communicated to the parties on April 16, 2008," said FIFA.

However, FIFA said the Single Judge emphasized that this decision is without prejudice and pending the outcome of a possible contract dispute between al-Hadari and Al-Ahly.

Meanwhile, Al-Ahly has said it will appeal against FIFA's decision as soon as the club receive an official letter of approval from FIFA, English daily the Egyptian Gazette reported on Friday.

"Al-Ahly have the right to appeal within three weeks because FIFA's decision is not final," an official at the club was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity.

According to the Egyptian Gazette, the Egyptian Football Association received a letter from FIFA on Wednesday evening, but they are waiting for the reply from Al-Ahly before commenting.

Al-Hadari caused widespread dispute recently when he tried to join FC Sion without the approval of Al-Ahly, with which he still has a contract until 2010.

The 35-year-old goalie, dubbed by the Egyptian fans as the "High Dam", was awarded the best goalkeeper of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) in February when Egypt successfully defended its ACN title.