Egyptian FA seals official settlement with Rui Vitória to end pay dispute

Background

The Egyptian Football Association announced it has reached an official agreement with Portuguese coach Rui Vitória, the former Egypt head coach, regarding his outstanding payments. It’s a relief for the finances and a sigh of relief for Vitória, who would rather win matches than chase invoices.

Vitória led the Egypt national team from April 2022 until February 2024, departing after a Round of 16 exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire following a penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Portuguese coach had filed a formal complaint against the federation to claim the remaining dues of his contract, which ran through June 2026.

Settlement

The federation said the agreement was reached at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, to end the dispute promptly.

In a joint statement, both sides expressed mutual gratitude and respect, praising Vitória for his dedication and competence during his tenure as Egypt’s national coach.

Outlook

Egypt, led by coach Hossam Hassan, is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with a build-up friendly against Nigeria on the calendar.

Fans can look forward to a tournament-focused year ahead, and perhaps a lighter wallet for anyone who thinks arbitration can sponsor a victory parade.

Punchline 1: If patience paid salaries, this CAS settlement would fund a league all by itself.

Punchline 2: They settled faster than my fantasy football trades—talk about a timely transfer window.