Zamalek board denies U-turn on new football company as African licence push continues

Zamalek have insisted they remain fully committed to launching a new football company, rejecting reports the club had halted or reversed plans to establish the entity.

In a formal statement, the board of directors, led by president Hussein Labib, dismissed widespread speculation that procedures to set up the company had been frozen or abandoned.

“There is no truth whatsoever to what has circulated in the past hours regarding a retreat from founding the football company or stopping work on it,” the board said.

“The Zamalek board of directors, headed by Hussein Labib, has not taken any decision to stop work on completing the procedures for establishing the company.”

Board calls company decision ‘final’

Zamalek stressed that the move to form the company was approved recently and is not under review.

“About two weeks ago, the Zamalek board of directors took an official decision to establish the football company, after the approval of a majority of board members, and this is a final decision with no inclination to backtrack on it,” the statement continued.

The club confirmed they are currently evaluating several investment proposals linked to the new company.

“The board is currently studying offers submitted by a number of investors, in order to select the best offer that serves the interests of Zamalek, guarantees the success of the football company and achieves the desired objectives,” the club said.

Once negotiations with potential partners are concluded, the proposed structure of the company will be put before the club’s members.

“After finishing the study of all offers and reaching a final agreement with investors, the matter will be presented to the Zamalek general assembly, as it is the body with the original right to approve investors’ shares in the football company and its mechanisms of operation, in accordance with legal procedures and the regulations governing the establishment of football companies,” the statement added.

African licence deadline

The clarification over the football company comes as Zamalek race to finalise their CAF club licence in order to participate in next season’s CAF Champions League.

The club announced, via their official “Zamalkawy” application, that they had settled all FIFA-related cases linked to the African licence, clearing a significant hurdle towards confirming their place in the competition.

The final deadline to secure the CAF licence was set for 25 July, and Zamalek have been working against the clock to meet all requirements.

According to the club, only one outstanding case remains – a disciplinary transfer-registration ban related to Moroccan player Salah Eddine Mossadek. Zamalek say this sanction does not affect their ability to obtain the CAF licence.

Return to Champions League stage

Zamalek are set to return to the CAF Champions League as champions of the Egyptian Premier League.

Their participation in Africa’s elite club competition will mark the end of a three-year absence, during which they featured in the CAF Confederation Cup.

In that period, Zamalek won the Confederation Cup title in 2024 and went on to reach the final again in 2026, finishing as runners-up.

The club’s confirmation that the football company project remains on track, alongside progress on their African licensing requirements, underlines the broader restructuring and competitive ambitions currently shaping Zamalek’s plans on and off the pitch.