Considered by some as one of Africa's best-ever full-backs, Fathy started his career with Egyptian side Ismaily SC before moving to England to play in the Premier League with Sheffield United in 2007.

However, El Zamalek's Egyptian rivals Al Ahly succeeded in gaining Fathy's consent for a move and Sheffield United's agreement to a deal.

Al Ahly managed to broker a deal with Kuwaiti side Kazma to accept the player on a loan, where Fathy played regularly for the first team, scoring four goals.

[11] Fathy left Al Ahly after his contract expired in June 2014 and joined Umm Salal in Qatar in August 2014 after an unsuccessful trial with English giants Arsenal.

[14] On 11 April 2020, Pyramids FC announced that Fathy would be joining their side at the end of the season on a free transfer after Al Ahly's failure of securing a contract renewal with the 35 year old defender.

Fathy was also part of the Egypt squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations at the Cairo International Stadium in 2006, when they beat Ivory Coast on penalties in the final.