Zineddine Belaïd has broken his silence regarding rumors surrounding his decision not to sign for Al Ahly.
Algerian defender Zineddine Belaïd was on the verge of joining Al Ahly this summer, but the deal fell through despite the player agreeing on personal terms with the Reds.
It was Belgian club Sint-Truiden who sealed Belaïd’s signing for lower wages than he would have earned had he signed for the African champions.
Compatriot and Al Ahly’s loanee at Ceramica Cleopatra FC Ahmed Kendouci has revealed that the reason the deal fell through was that someone from the Reds’ board urged him not to change his agent.
Through an Instagram story, Zineddine clarified that his choice to pursue a career in Europe was personal and had nothing to do with any supposed “agent crisis.”
Addressing the rumors, Zineddine stated: “Al Ahly did not impose any agent on me. I chose and negotiated with my own representative.”
He also praised Al Ahly’s Amir Tawfik for conducting professional negotiations, noting that his decision was solely about seeking opportunities in Europe.
Zineddine also pushed back against attempts by certain agents to involve him in their conflicts, saying, “Some agents are trying to drag me into their problems by involving my name.”
Following Kendouci’s statements, Al Ahly had decided to open an investigation into the matter, with Kendouci meeting with the club’s legal department to discuss the issue on Saturday.