Eygptian FA irk Firhill club in Coulibaly saga

SOULEYMANE COULIBALY’S wait to pull on a Partick Thistle jersey is set to go on after the Egyptian FA refused to grant an International Transfer Certificate to finalise his move to the Firhill club.

The former Kilmarnock striker signed for Thistle in August, but former club Al-Ahly claim that the forward owes them £1million after walking out on them last year, leaving the Championship club unable to complete his registration. They have now called upon FIFA to intervene.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Despite being obliged to reply within seven days relative to a request for an ITC, the Egyptian FA has waited until the 14th day to refuse the request. As such, the Scottish FA has now asked FIFA to reject the refusal. Subsequently the Egyptian FA has been given until Friday (21/09) to provide additional information requested by the world governing body.

“Given that the ITC would have been granted automatically after 15 days if the Egyptian FA had not responded, Souleymane is understandably once again frustrated by the whole process. Both the Club and the Scottish FA have compiled submissions to back Souleymane’s case against the refusal.

“The current contractual provision in place means the Club is not required to make any financial outlay to Souleymane until his registration is approved.

“The Club remains hopeful that a positive outcome will be achieved and will continue to update supporters on the process as and when there is any progression.”