Zamalek have an unusual distraction ahead of the African Champions League first leg final against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday - former players are putting pressure on them to settle unpaid salaries.
Zamalek chairman Mortada Mansour has revealed that the club are facing a six-point deduction in the Egyptian Premier League if they do not settle monies owed to former striker Junior Agogo by the end of next week.
It is an unwelcome distraction for coach Moamen Soliman and the players‚ with Zamalek potentially going to -3 points in the new league table if the threat is carried through.
“Before every important Zamalek game‚ previous players' requests for late dues pile on us‚” Mansour told El-Asema TV.
“Zamalek is being threatened with a six-point deduction in the coming period if the situation is not resolved.”
- Half the Champions League battle will be won if Sundowns prevent Zamalek from scoring in the finalCentreback Thabo Nthethe knows that by containing Zamalek and stopping them from scoring in Saturday’s home first leg of the Caf Champions League final‚ the trophy will be half won for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Ghana international forward Agogo signed for Zamalek from English side Nottingham Forest in 2008 on the back of a strong showing at the African nations Cup finals on home soil‚ but nine months later terminated his contract over unpaid salaries and reported the club to FIFA.
The Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered the Cairo giants to pay Agogo 807‚000 Euros (R12.7-million).
Mansour claims the club has already paid 250‚000 Euros (R3.95-million) to the player.
But having had their assets frozen due to a dispute with former chairman Mamdouh Abbas in March this year‚ Mansour says they are unable to meet their obligations.
Abbas claims Zamalek owe him 42-million Egyptian Pounds (R68-million) that he loaned them during his time at the club.
“Agogo’s money is still with Mamdouh Abbas‚ the government has frozen the assets.
"I was supposed to pay the seventh installment of Agogo’s dues‚ but Mamdouh Abbas froze Zamalek’s assets so now we were unable to pay him.”
- Zamalek begin preparations for the Champions League final in the shadow of the Fees Must Fall protestsZamalek arrived in South Africa on Wednesday and immediately got down to preparing for Saturday’s African Champions League final at the Tshwane University of Technology’s stadium‚ despite the disruptions on campus earlier in the week.
It is a messy situation that is likely to drag on‚ but it’s clear that the US$1.5-million (R21.5-million) first prize for winning the Champions League‚ and the further riches that await in the FIFA Club World Cup‚ would be more useful to Zamalek than to Sundowns at the moment.
- TMG Digital
Zamalek face off-the-field threats that could distract them from the Champions League final
Zamalek have an unusual distraction ahead of the African Champions League first leg final against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday - former players are putting pressure on them to settle unpaid salaries.
Zamalek chairman Mortada Mansour has revealed that the club are facing a six-point deduction in the Egyptian Premier League if they do not settle monies owed to former striker Junior Agogo by the end of next week.
It is an unwelcome distraction for coach Moamen Soliman and the players‚ with Zamalek potentially going to -3 points in the new league table if the threat is carried through.
“Before every important Zamalek game‚ previous players' requests for late dues pile on us‚” Mansour told El-Asema TV.
“Zamalek is being threatened with a six-point deduction in the coming period if the situation is not resolved.”
Ghana international forward Agogo signed for Zamalek from English side Nottingham Forest in 2008 on the back of a strong showing at the African nations Cup finals on home soil‚ but nine months later terminated his contract over unpaid salaries and reported the club to FIFA.
The Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered the Cairo giants to pay Agogo 807‚000 Euros (R12.7-million).
Mansour claims the club has already paid 250‚000 Euros (R3.95-million) to the player.
But having had their assets frozen due to a dispute with former chairman Mamdouh Abbas in March this year‚ Mansour says they are unable to meet their obligations.
Abbas claims Zamalek owe him 42-million Egyptian Pounds (R68-million) that he loaned them during his time at the club.
“Agogo’s money is still with Mamdouh Abbas‚ the government has frozen the assets.
"I was supposed to pay the seventh installment of Agogo’s dues‚ but Mamdouh Abbas froze Zamalek’s assets so now we were unable to pay him.”
It is a messy situation that is likely to drag on‚ but it’s clear that the US$1.5-million (R21.5-million) first prize for winning the Champions League‚ and the further riches that await in the FIFA Club World Cup‚ would be more useful to Zamalek than to Sundowns at the moment.
- TMG Digital
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