Ivory Coast’s Coulibaly to Pay $1.4M for Fleeing Ex-African Champions

Striker Souleymane Coulibaly has been ordered to pay US$1.4m as fine for fleeing former African club champions Egypt’s Al Ahly.

The 24-year-old, currently under the books of Scottish side Patrick Thistle FC, is told to cough up the sum having seen a recent appeal not to pay the money rejected.

Once voted CAF’s Most Promising Talent of the Year, the Ivorian went AWOL while being an Al Ahly player before eventually quitting for football in Scotland.

In the cause of those torrid moments, the goal-getter required an international clearance from the Egyptian FA who rejected his request.

FIFA stepped in to grant Coulibaly’s wish to ensure he completed his move to the demoted Premiership outfit.

Irked by the outcome of events, Al Ahly filed a complaint against the star last October to the football governing body claiming breach of contract.

FIFA accepted the Red Devils’ side of the story, imposing a $1.4m fine which Souleymane’s lawyers challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

In the latest twist of events, CAS has rejected Coulibaly’s appeal, according to Abdel-Razek, Al Ahly’s attorney.

The ruling means the aforesaid footballer won’t be able to sign for any club unless he pays or his current employers settles the fine with Al Ahly.