Former Egyptian international Aly Ghazal’s recent arrest for alleged embezzlement of 7 million Egyptian pounds has taken a new turn, as the owner of Ra SC, the club Ghazal manages, sheds light on the case.
Ghazal, 32, was taken into custody in New Cairo’s First Settlement area after allegations surfaced regarding a financial dispute related to an import-export business.
According to the initial police report, the issue involves promised returns that were not delivered. Cairo’s security forces launched an investigation, and the public prosecution is now handling the case.
The arrest marks a stark contrast to Ghazal’s accomplished football career, which included stints in Portugal, Greece, China, and Canada, as well as appearances for Egypt’s national team in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He retired from professional football in July 2023 and recently took on a managerial role at Egyptian third-division side Ra Sporting Club.
Ra SC Chairman, Ali Elbeshbishy, has emphasized that efforts are ongoing to resolve the matter amicably. According to statements from Elbeshbishy, all parties involved in the dispute are actively engaged in discussions to reach a fair and satisfactory resolution.
“Ghazal’s role was limited to that of a silent investor, with no direct involvement in day-to-day operations of the business,” Elbeshbishy told KingFut.
“We believe that Aly Ghazal is completely innocent in this matter. He lacks deep experience in business and signed cheques as a guarantee for only two or three individuals, who have respectfully chosen not to appear in the media to share details. These individuals, who also believe in Aly’s innocence, wanted to invest their money in the business he was indirectly involved with, trusting that the venture would not fail.
“However, business inherently carries risks of both success and failure. Despite this, Aly has taken full responsibility, remains in the country, and is actively working with all parties to resolve the issue and ensure the return of funds. The individuals involved are working behind closed doors to fix the situation, prioritizing a resolution that satisfies everyone. This situation underscores an important lesson: no one should assume liability for a business’s losses, as that is not how business operates.”
“From day one, Aly Ghazal was completely transparent with us about his situation. We conducted our own research and, despite everything being said about him, we decided to give him the job. After working with him for over three months now, he has shown us what a genuinely good person he is.
“Beyond football, he does so much to help others, often putting their needs ahead of his own, even when he should be focusing on himself. This selflessness and character prove the kind of person Aly truly is — very humble, caring, generous, and far from selfish. That alone shows that Aly is not and cannot be the person being portrayed now as a fraud in the news.”
“The funny thing is, several individuals actually owe Aly three times the amount he is being accused of. If he were to recover that money, he could effortlessly resolve this situation and get back to his normal life. It’s a stark reminder of how circumstances can unfairly shift perception, despite the reality being entirely different.”
This new information complicates the case as the public prosecution is expected to take these revelations into account as investigations continue.
While Ghazal is facing legal challenges, supporters argue that his involvement in the situation has been overstated. They emphasize that he has been proactive in cooperating with all parties to address the matter.
The Egyptian football community is closely watching the developments, awaiting the outcome of ongoing negotiations and legal proceedings. For now, the focus remains on achieving a resolution that brings closure to all stakeholders while allowing Ghazal to continue his football management career.