Al-Ahly fines midfielder Zakaria LE 300,000

CAIRO – 31 May 2017: Al-Ahly football club has issued a LE 300,000 fine on the team’s midfielder Moamen Zakaria after appearing in the popular Ramadan TV prank show “Ramez Underground” before obtaining permission from the club’s management.

Al-Ahly has set a LE 300,000 fine on any player who breaks the current ban barring personnel from appearing in the media without official club authorization.

The ban continues despite Al-Ahly’s recent league victory due to the team's commitment to face the Moroccan team Wydad Athletic Club in the African Champions League on Sunday June 4, 2017.

The Al-Ahly manager confirmed in a statement to Egypt Today on Tuesday that Zakaria was fined following Al-Ahly’s recent match with Zambian team Zanako F.C. in the African Champions League. Furthermore, he certified that the fine was not issued until Al-Ahly management established that Zakaria recorded the episode prior to obtaining permission from the club.

The media ban was imposed on the Al-Ahly team in March 2017 following comments by players Emad Meteb and Ahmed Fathi revealing their dissatisfaction towards decisions and comments made by the club’s technical staff. Al-Ahly management has said that the media ban aims to provide the team with an opportunity to focus on their performance in the upcoming Egyptian Premier League and African Champions League.

Earlier this month, Zamalek S.C. also fined player Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” as a result of his appearance in the same TV program without the permission of his club.