Sports
In a notable move that deviates from typical club practices, Spanish club Barcelona has reportedly broken one of its long-standing rules regarding player contract renewals. This decision was made for the young Egyptian professional, Hamza Abdel Karim, according to Spanish press reports issued following the announcement of his contract extension. The Catalan club announced last Friday afternoon that Hamza Abdel Karim's contract had been renewed, making it valid until June 30, 2030. Although official details were not disclosed, various press reports indicated that Abdel Karim's new contract includes a significant increase in his release clause, which has risen from 15 million euros to 150 million euros. In this context, Barcelona revealed in its official statement that the signing ceremony for Abdel Karim's new contract will take place next Tuesday evening at the office of club president, Joan Laporta. This will be followed by a session where the player will address the media, marking a significant exception to their usual protocol. Confirming this exceptional circumstance, Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo" reported that this procedure is considered unusual, as it is not common for players to speak to the media directly after renewing their contracts. The Catalan club's decision is understood to compensate for Hamza Abdel Karim not being presented to the media upon his initial arrival at the club. Abdel Karim had initially joined Barcelona from the Egyptian Al Ahly club on loan last February, before the club activated the permanent purchase option in June.
