Al Ahly Club and the War of Interests

Written by Dr. Hamada Alantably

In the aftermath of the match between Al Ahly and Zamalek—which ended in a 3-1 victory for Zamalek, a game where luck was on Zamalek’s side while Al Ahly faced inexplicable misfortune, injuries, poor technical management, and subpar officiating—the sports arena witnessed an unjustified attack on the Al Ahly Board of Directors. One would think the board is responsible for renewing a player’s contract, or that they caused a player’s absence or injury. From the start of the season, Al Ahly has been the best team in Egypt, the “boogeyman” for every opponent, having reached the African Champions League semi-finals as a strong contender for the title. Yet, suddenly, we hear voices attacking the manager.

Let us think objectively: the responsibility of a Board of Directors lies in planning for the club’s future, maximizing its market value and assets, providing financial and technical support for the club’s various teams, building an integrated administrative and technical system, and managing crises effectively. Has Mahmoud El Khatib and his board failed in these areas? Quite the contrary. Al Ahly possesses a professional administrative and marketing system that is the best in the Middle East, acknowledged by all. This system has made it the largest club in Egypt in terms of market value and sponsorship rights, which are the highest in the country. The club’s channel was developed—the first of its kind in the Middle East—and the club secured the rights to its own stadium until the completion of its permanent home, in addition to the construction boom across its various branches. The club also managed the COVID-19 crisis with efficiency and capability, ensuring no staff or team members were negatively affected.

Everything critics bring against Al Ahly’s administration—such as the Turki Al-Sheikh crisis—was handled by the club with the state’s public interest in mind, maintaining relations with the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as announced by the club’s management in accordance with its responsibilities and directives from state authorities. You see media outlets attacking the board because of Abdallah El-Said, who left two years ago in a decision that was praised by everyone at the time, or because of Sherif Ekramy, who voluntarily chose to move to Pyramids because he wasn’t playing behind Mohamed El-Shenawy and defied club instructions, thus earning his exclusion. Then there are Ahmed Fathy and Ramadan Sobhi, whose decision was driven by whoever offered the most money—which leads us to discuss the rules of Financial Fair Play later on.

Therefore, what is the real motive behind this fierce onslaught? Is the goal to tear down Al Ahly for the benefit of a rival team whose leadership and media channels sow discord, or are these the early skirmishes of election wars? The Egyptian sports system cannot function without Al Ahly, Zamalek, and the rest of the clubs. Al Ahly Club is a glowing beacon in the sky of Egyptian sports; it is our duty to preserve it rather than collude to tear it down for a handful of dollars or riyals, or for petty personal interests.

Straighten up, may God have mercy on you.

By Dr. Hamada Alantably