Ramadan Sobhi Doping Case Goes Global: Lawyer Reveals Courtroom Drama and Possible European Route
2 December 2025
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Ramadan Sobhi's lawyer, Hani Zahran, who represents the winger for Pyramids FC, disclosed new and shocking details about the player's position in the doping case, stressing that appealing to the Federal Court will not halt the four-year ban handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS.
Zahran said in televised remarks that Ramadan will remain suspended until the appeal is heard, the response is issued, and a date for the hearing is set.
He added that the appeal process before the Federal Court typically takes three to six months, noting that the court is known for its strictness, earning the nickname Graveyard of Appeals, with a success rate of only about seven percent—one win in 14 appeals.
Despite the challenging position, Zahran indicated that the defense expects the appeal to be accepted, given constants and precedents in similar cases that bolster the player's position, which encouraged them to pursue this legal route.
He also pointed to broad sympathy from Egyptian football fans for Sobhi, arguing that the player does not deserve to end his career with an unfounded accusation, and that the defense team is working to protect his history and reputation, emphasizing that Sobhi did not ingest any prohibited substance.
Zahran stressed that if the Federal Court rejects the appeal, escalation would be the next option, citing existing legal precedents allowing submission to the European Court of Human Rights in similar scenarios.
He added that there is substantial support from various segments of Egyptian society for the player, reaffirming that Ramadan's career should not be defined by an ungrounded charge.
He noted that the defense team is working to defend the player's image and career, and that the current penalty does not align with the available facts, reiterating that Ramadan did not use any banned substance.
He clarified that if the appeal is refused by the Federal Court, they will pursue further escalations, notably filing a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights, given similar precedents that allow this path.
Zahran revealed there has been no contact yet from Al Ahly or Pyramids, and no party has asked him for legal information or intervention in the case, stressing his team's willingness to cooperate with any body wishing to support the player during this difficult period.
He concluded by noting that Hany Abu Rida, the head of the Egyptian Football Association, called him in a conversation lasting over an hour, and he felt he was speaking with Ramadan's father rather than simply a sports official, thanks to Abu Rida's evident concern and readiness to offer any moral support.
Punchline 1: If this is the graveyard of appeals, Sobhi might need a ghostwriter for the verdict rather than a lawyer.
Punchline 2: In football and law alike, timing matters most the moment the hearing whistle sounds, so stay tuned for the next kickoff in court.
