Zamalek SC are considering withdrawing from the Egyptian Super Cup following the detention of two key players and a club official in Abu Dhabi. The incident occurred after Zamalek’s tense 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Pyramids FC on Sunday, and it has cast a shadow over their upcoming showdown with arch-rivals Al Ahly.
The clash began at Al Nahyan Stadium, where Zamalek players Mostafa Shalaby and Nabil Emad were involved in an altercation with security personnel.
The following day, both players, along with sporting director Abdel-Wahed El Sayed, were summoned to a local police station and have remained in custody since.
Zamalek are scheduled to play Al Ahly in the highly anticipated Egyptian Super Cup final on Thursday, 24 October.
However, the club has expressed its intention to pull out of the match unless the situation is resolved swiftly.
Speaking on behalf of the club, Zamalek spokesperson Ahmed Salem confirmed that the matter has escalated to a point where they are actively discussing returning to Cairo instead of fulfilling their Super Cup commitment.
“An urgent meeting is currently being held between club president Hussein Labib, treasurer Hossam El Mandouh, and the head of the delegation to decide whether to withdraw from the Egyptian Super Cup and return to Cairo as soon as possible,” Salem said in a statement.
The atmosphere is no longer appropriate for us to stay, and the pressure on the delegation is unbearable.”
Salem also revealed that senior Zamalek officials, including Labib and El Mandouh, had been at the police station since early Monday morning, trying to resolve the matter.
So far, no resolution has been reached, and tensions are running high as the clock ticks down to the Super Cup final.
Meanwhile, reports in Egypt suggest that Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy is in communication with Egypt’s ambassador in Abu Dhabi, seeking diplomatic assistance to defuse the situation and ensure the release of the detained Zamalek figures.
This dramatic turn of events has added a layer of uncertainty to what was expected to be one of the season’s most significant matches.
Should Zamalek follow through with their threat to withdraw, it would mark a stunning turn of events in Egyptian football, leaving fans and officials alike eagerly awaiting the club’s final decision.
With just days remaining before the final, all eyes will be on whether Zamalek can resolve their off-field issues in time to compete, or if this high-profile dispute will lead to their absence from one of the most prestigious fixtures in the Egyptian football calendar.
