The Egyptian champions' football committee, which includes president Hassan Hamdi, vice-president Mahmoud Al-Khatib, Tarek Selim and former defender Hadi Khashaba announced the decision after holding a meeting to discuss the issue.

Samaka tested positive after his side's 2-0 victory over JS Kabylie of Algeria in Cairo in the group stage of the tournament that Ahli went on to win its title for the fifth time.

Ahli signed the 23-year-old last season after a nail-biting race with arch-rivals Zamalek but he failed to hold down a regular place and made rare appearances.