No negotiations with Zamalek after it misses match: EFA

CAIRO – 17 April 2017: The Egyptian Football Association’s (EFA) board members, headed by Hani Abourida, have agreed to stick to the regulations of the competition committee against El-Zamalek club after its withdrawal from a league match yesterday against Misr el-Makasa.

The EFA’s board members announced clearly that they have no intentions to retreat or surrender in dealing with Zamalek’s recent crisis, and that all regulations will be applied without negotiations with the club or any attempts to appease it.

EFA’s Executive Manager, Tharwat Sweilam, said that the regulations of the competition are clear and will be applied, especially that the EFA has done its part by informing both clubs that the game has been put off, several days ahead of its original scheduled time on 15 April.

He added that the decision to delay the match came as a result of a demand by security agencies, so it was out of the EFA’s control.

Sweilam said that while Makasa club committed to the new date of the match, Zamalek did not show up, as it insisted on delaying the match to Tuesday 18 April, which will put the competition committee into trouble because of the tight time.

Zamalek is scheduled to play against Talae el-Geish on Wednesday.

Hany Abo Rida, EFA president, said that all board decisions are governed by regulations and there will be no negotiations with any club regarding the dispute.

Minister of Youth Khaled Abdel-Aziz said that the ministry has nothing to do with Zamalek club crisis as the whole issue is related only to the EFA.

“People go to elect the board members of their clubs and unions, choosing them with complete freedom, then they later ask the government to sack them, did the minister elect them?” Abdel-Aziz said on his Facebook page.

Zamalek failed to show up in yesterday’s match against Makasa which was set to be played in Petro Sport Stadium.