CAS blocks FIFA punishment for Egypt goalkeeper El Hadary

CAS blocks FIFA punishment for Egypt goalkeeper El HadaryLausannne, Switzerland  - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) granted Tuesday a stay of the execution of a FIFA decision to hand a four-month ban to Egypt international Essam El Hadary, pending a final ruling of the goalkeeper's appeal.

In April of this year, FIFA banned Swiss club FC Sion from signing any new players until the end of the 2009-10 season because El Hadary had been signed before his contract with Al-Ahly had expired.

As well as banning El Hadary for four months, football's ruling body also ordered that 900,000 euros (1.3 million dollars) in compensation be paid to Al-Ahly.

"Such decision is now "frozen" until the end of the CAS procedure," said CAS in a statement.

CAS is expected to issue its final decision on the matter in approximately four months.(dpa)