Egyptian football club Zamalek have said that there is "no chance of success" to a complaint filed by Nigerian champions Enugu Rangers challenging Zamalek striker Hossam "Paulo" Salama's eligibility to play in the recent 4-1 home win by Zamalek against Enugu in the CAF Champions League round of 32.
The Rangers have filed an official complaint with the CAF regarding Paulo, who scored during the game and was registered in the squad of his former club Smouha on 30 January.
"Paulo is a registered eligible player and the Rangers' complaint is meaningless and has no chance of success," Zamalek administrative manager Hamada Anwar told Filgoal on Thursday.
A statement released by the Nigerian side on Wednesday said that the Rangers "have officially petitioned against Zamalek SC of Egypt for fielding an ineligible player [Hossam Salama]."
"[Paulo] was initially registered by Smouha Club of Egypt… before the deadline on 15 January 2017, [and was therefore] illegally added by Zamalek," the Rangers statement said.
"A player is not qualified to play in the CAF Champions League if he is registered with a club and then loaned by this club to another one, unless he is registered again in the second period of registration."
Zamalek are confident they have followed regulations, saying they informed the Confederation of all the details regarding the player before the registering.
Article 11 of the fifth chapter of the CAF Champions League regulations allows a player to register for another club during the same season if he did not play with his first club during the season.
"During the same year a player is in principle only eligible to play for one club in the CAF inter-club competitions," reads Article 11.
"However, a player, even though registered with a club that has not been fielded in any match of inter-club competitions, will be authorised to play for another club in the inter-club competitions during the same year as long as all the regulations are complied with."
Zamalek are arriving in Nigeria Thursday afternoon ahead of the second leg of the round of 32 on Sunday