Zamalek apply club regulations after Ahmed Fattouh comments

Zamalek have applied their internal regulations in response to the controversy surrounding comments attributed to defender Ahmed Fattouh, the club’s football director Abdel Nasser Mohamed has said.

Media reports attributed remarks to Fattouh about outstanding payments owed to him and offers made to sign him, prompting widespread debate.

Speaking through Zamalek’s media centre, Mohamed said: “Ahmed Fattouh deals with everyone with great spontaneity and good intentions. If he had bad intentions, the matter could have been presented in other ways.

“Certainly, we deal internally, and according to our own regulations, with all events and interactions to prevent them from happening again. This is our internal business.”

Mohamed also praised the influence of Zamalek’s senior players and said the club would not be distracted by criticism directed at members of the squad.

“The team’s leaders are performing wonderful roles, and the club is fortunate to have these players within the team,” he added.

“We will not respond to the vast number of inaccurate reports and serious allegations aimed at the team’s stars. They will never affect us. We are all united and will not become material to be directed according to the views of some people.”

Fattouh has missed Zamalek’s recent matches because he has not been fit after suffering from illness.

Pyramids lead the Egyptian league table with 12 points, while Al Ahly dropped points for the first time this season after drawing 1-1 with Al Mokawloon Al Arab.

The result moved Al Ahly back into third place on 10 points, level on points with second-placed Zamalek but behind them on goal difference.

Zamalek have won their past three matches after drawing their opening fixture.

Gouna, Petroleum Assiut, Smouha and Ghazl El Mahalla are yet to win in the competition. Smouha remain the only team without a goal so far.