The Swiss Federal Court has rejected an appeal by Egyptian international Ramadan Sobhi against a four-year suspension for violating anti-doping rules. The 29-year-old player, currently with Pyramids FC, is now banned from participating in any sports activity until 2029. The suspension also prohibits him from accessing sports facilities, training with a club, or holding administrative positions in sports during the ban period. Sobhi's appeal was rejected on Sunday, September 20, according to local media reports.
The four-year suspension was initially imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on November 26, following a non-compliant anti-doping control sample. With the support of his former club Ahly, Sobhi's legal team had filed an appeal with the Swiss Federal Court in June, seeking a reduced sanction. However, the court rejected the appeal, confirming the original suspension. This development leaves Sobhi's future with Pyramids FC uncertain.
The case against Ramadan Sobhi began in March 2024, when the former president of the Egyptian Football Federation (EFA), Gamal Allam, announced that the player had tested positive for a banned substance. An initial suspension was later lifted on September 17, 2024, by the Egyptian Anti-Doping Organization's (NADO) appeals committee. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) successfully contested this decision, leading to the reinstatement of the four-year suspension.
Ramadan Sobhi has had a notable career, rising through the youth ranks of Ahly and establishing himself as one of Egypt's top talents. He later played in England for Stoke City and Huddersfield Town before returning to Ahly on loan in 2019. Sobhi contributed to Ahly's consecutive Egyptian league titles and joined Pyramids FC the following year in a high-profile transfer. He has made 37 appearances for the Egyptian national team and was part of the squads that reached the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2017 and 2022.
Pyramids FC has not yet released an official statement regarding Sobhi's situation or potential contract termination. The club has invested heavily in recent years, and Sobhi's suspension may impact their plans. As one of Egypt's prominent footballers, Sobhi's future in the sport is now uncertain.
The Egyptian football community is closely following the developments in Sobhi's case. His supporters and former clubs, including Ahly, have shown solidarity with the player. The outcome of the appeal and the subsequent suspension have sparked discussions about doping regulations and the support available to athletes facing similar situations.
Ramadan Sobhi's suspension serves as a reminder of the strict anti-doping regulations in place in sports. The case highlights the importance of compliance with these rules and the consequences of non-compliance. As Sobhi begins his four-year suspension, he will need to focus on his rehabilitation and plan for his future in football, whether as a player or in an administrative capacity.
Key points
- The Swiss Federal Court has upheld a four-year suspension for Egyptian footballer Ramadan Sobhi due to a doping violation.
- Sobhi, currently with Pyramids FC, is banned from sports activities until 2029.
- The case highlights the strict anti-doping regulations in sports and the consequences of non-compliance.
