Fifa takes El-Hadary decision

Ahly say El-Hadary has been banned and fined by Fifa

Fifa says it has taken a decision in the stand-off between goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary and Egyptian club Al Ahly.

Al Ahly reported their former keeper to Fifa when he joined Swiss side Sion last year, citing breach of contract.

Al Ahly reported on its website that the keeper has been banned for four months and fined US$ 1.2m but Fifa is yet to communicate to both sides.

"Fifa can confirm that a decision was reached yesterday regarding the Essam El-Hadary case," Fifa told BBC Sport.

"The respective parties will be notified of the decision taken by Fifa in due course."

Ahly did not want to comment any further on the story.

But if the Cairo side's claims are true, it will be a huge blow for Egypt as he will be unavailable for the World Cup qualifiers against Algeria, Rwanda and Zambia.

El-Hadary shocked Ahly when he left for Europe shortly after Egypt's successful Nations Cup campaign in Ghana in February 2008.

He claimed Fifa regulations allowed him to make the switch.