Al Ahly Ends Player Wage Protest in Urgent Board Session
27 October 2025
Al Ahly's leadership moved decisively to end a wage-related crisis that erupted in recent hours, triggered by staff protests over the government-mandated minimum wage now applicable to the club.
The protests followed reports that monthly salaries arrived with a modest increase not aligned with expectations, sparking demonstrations at several club branches.
Dr. Saad Shalaby, the club's executive director, explained that the board, chaired by Mahmoud El Khatib, approved a plan to apply the minimum wage to all employees, as part of organizational development and tailored to each grade. The plan also covers part-time workers and gym instructors.
Shalaby said the club established clear rules to improve performance and service quality, noting that the file had been studied for some time to ensure fairness and protect everyone's rights.
The board reviewed and approved the project about three weeks ago, prioritizing justice over cost, while continuing to pay bonuses already agreed upon.
Shalaby stressed that personnel matters remain a top priority for the board, as workers are the backbone of the club's operations and a key driver of Al Ahly's ongoing leadership.
Emergency meeting with workers
During the crisis containment, board members Mohammed Al-Garhi and Mohammed Al-Gazawi held an urgent session with workers who organized demonstrations across branches to listen to their demands and explain the administration's position.
A source told Kooora that representatives reaffirmed the club's full commitment to implementing the minimum wage as soon as possible, in line with government decisions.
The workers reportedly understood the stance and appreciated the assurances given during the meeting.
New directives from El Khatib
A trusted source told Kooora that El Khatib directed a comprehensive review of the minimum wage implementation within the club, stressing the need for complete and precise execution to guarantee fairness for all staff.
The source added that management was instructed to monitor this file regularly and ensure all departments comply with the policies.
Meanwhile, board member Mohammed Al-Gazawi noted that Al Ahly is entering a new era of institutional expansion and investment, requiring forward-thinking governance and full collaboration across the organization.
He said Al Ahly is no longer just a sports club but a large institution with robust infrastructure that can attract resources, expand branches and affiliated companies, and generate sustainable revenues across sectors.
Al-Gazawi emphasized that sports investment remains a key focus, going beyond sponsorship and marketing to asset management and partnerships with subsidiaries. He added that the general assembly is the club's heart and a true partner in every achievement, with member awareness and participation guaranteeing continued success.
He concluded that El Khatib's slate blends experience with renewal and that the coming phase will require doubling the effort to preserve Al Ahly's status and broaden its investment and athletic horizons.
Women on the board
Roida Hesham, a candidate for the under-30 seat, stressed that football is the world’s leading sport and deserves broad attention, but Al Ahly's management ensures equal focus across all team and individual sports, as reflected in the club's domestic and international results.
Roida added: "Women are half the society, and their needs matter greatly. As the representative of women on the board, I will champion women's issues and will listen to the perspectives of women and young members to meet their needs."
Punchline 1: If wages keep rising, we’ll need a payroll department with its own stadium—talk about a box office hit that pays you back in overtime. Punchline 2: And if the club keeps climbing, fans might start chanting, "We paid for this!" with a grin—glorious budgetary gymnastics included."
