Zamalek confirm CAF Champions League green light and say licence ‘answer to doubters’

Zamalek have confirmed they have officially been granted a licence to take part in the CAF Champions League, with the Egyptian champions presenting the decision as a direct response to those who questioned their eligibility.

The Cairo club announced on Saturday evening that the Confederation of African Football had approved their participation after they fulfilled all the regulatory requirements for entry into Africa’s premier club competition.

Zamalek secured their return to the Champions League by winning the Egyptian Premier League title last season, and had been working in recent weeks to complete the off-field steps needed to obtain a club licence.

In a statement published on their official account on X, Zamalek described the approval as “اعتماد رخصة مشاركة الزمالك بدوري الابطال رد على المشككين.. والعبرة بالافعال وليست الاقوال” – “the approval of Zamalek’s Champions League licence is a response to the doubters… what matters are actions, not words”.

The club said CAF had confirmed the licence only after the “White Knights” had met every condition and requirement laid down for participation in the competition.

Licensing process completed

According to Zamalek, all the necessary documentation was submitted to the Club Licensing Committee, which is chaired by counsellor Mahmoud Abdeen, for comprehensive review.

The statement said the committee examined the entire file in line with the applicable regulations and emphasised that it had approached the process with “complete neutrality and transparency”, applying every procedure without favour.

Zamalek stressed that the club had complied with the full set of criteria demanded for continental competition, without specifying them individually, and that the committee’s decision confirmed the soundness of their position.

Club hits back at criticism

In the same statement, Zamalek framed the granting of the African licence as a rebuttal to criticism and speculation that had surrounded their status.

The club said the approval “responds to the sceptics”, adding that it had deliberately avoided entering into public arguments while the process was under way.

Instead, Zamalek maintained it had chosen to remain silent in recent weeks and “work calmly, away from controversy”, until every step had been completed and there was no doubt about the club’s compliance.

“The most important thing in the end is actions, not words,” the statement concluded, adding that the club’s priority throughout had been to “finalise the file in a manner befitting the name and history of Zamalek”.

With the licence now confirmed, Zamalek can proceed with preparations for their next campaign in the CAF Champions League, in which they will represent Egypt as reigning domestic champions.