The Never-Ending Series of Zamalek Sporting Club’s Crises… A Continuous Show

By: Dr. Hamada El-Antably

Anyone closely following the Egyptian sports scene fully realizes that there is an “endless series” with multiple seasons titled: Zamalek Sporting Club. This historic institution has long been one of the pillars of Egyptian sports and has played a major role in producing champions and technical and administrative leaders who have helped elevate Egypt’s name in various arenas. Since its founding, Zamalek has always been a fixed equation in sports success.

However, the club today stands at a critical juncture, after being overwhelmed by crises and accumulated debts to an extent that threatens its very existence. The reasons behind this are no secret; the club’s record over past years has been filled with administrative and financial disasters, even though top officials in Egyptian sports belong to this great institution. Despite everyone’s awareness of the sensitivity of sports laws and regulations that tie their hands, the door to severe financial violations has remained wide open to enter and face financial and administrative crises whenever the need arises.

Recently, Zamalek’s registration was suspended for three consecutive periods due to six cases issued by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), in addition to dozens of other cases related to the dues of players, coaches, and technical staff. It has even become normal to hear daily about new files before FIFA or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the club has virtually established a “permanent department” for legal disputes, rather than having its name associated with achievements and championships.

Lately, news of foreign players terminating their contracts one after another has followed in succession, which is only a small part of the tip of the iceberg of accumulated crises. There are hundreds of other financial and administrative problems, most notably the “October Land Crisis,” which club members describe as an existential crisis touching the future of the entity.

All of this is happening amidst the near-complete absence of the role of the General Assembly, the silence of the administrative authority, and the absence of the Central Auditing Organization despite its responsibility for reviewing final accounts. Added to this is the ongoing conflict between former and current boards, and disputes among club members that have turned into regrettable scenes of verbal bickering in pursuit of trends and fame.

As for the current board of directors, it appears as a “guest of honor” in a chaotic scene, while the club’s media continues to broadcast rosy dreams, relying on a narrative of conspiracy and the distortion of awareness, rather than facing the truth and seeking realistic solutions.

The fundamental question asked by every lover of Zamalek is: Don’t the club’s sons know these facts? Why are there no radical and serious solutions to stop this bleeding? Where is the role of the state’s regulatory agencies in what is happening? And what are we waiting for before this great entity collapses even further?

May God be with you, Zamalek…

Written by Dr. Hamada El-Antably