Zamalek begin legal action over ‘false reports’ concerning Chico Banza

Zamalek have started legal proceedings against anyone accused of defaming Angola forward Chico Banza or publishing unsubstantiated reports about him, a club source told FilGoal.com.

The move follows reports alleging that Banza behaved improperly during Zamalek’s trip to Rwanda for their match against the Rwandan Army.

“Zamalek’s board of directors has decided to take all necessary legal measures and submit reports to the competent prosecution against anyone who defamed the Angola international, Chico Banza, or published false news about him without evidence during the team’s trip to Rwanda,” the source said.

The source added that the club’s decision was intended to protect the rights of its players and challenge attempts to insult them or circulate inaccurate information.

“It comes within the club’s commitment to preserving the rights of its players and confronting any attempts to harm them or circulate incorrect information about them, particularly given the reports that were published about the player while the team delegation was in Rwanda,” the source said.

Zamalek have already begun legal action against anyone found to have been involved in spreading the reports or defaming Banza.

“The club has indeed started taking the necessary legal measures against everyone proven to have been involved in publishing these reports or defaming the player, in a way that protects his rights and ensures that such incidents are not repeated,” the source added.

Zamalek defeated the Rwandan Army 1-0 away from home in the first leg and secured another 1-0 victory in the return match. The 2-0 aggregate success earned them a place in the group stage.

The last time Zamalek reached the group stage was during the 2022-2023 season, when they were drawn alongside Algerian club شباب بلوزداد, Sudanese side Al-Merrikh and Tunisian team Esperance de Tunis. They were eliminated at that stage.