The ongoing saga between Zamalek SC and their star player Ahmed Sayed "Zizo" has taken another turn as the club officially filed a complaint against him to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) following his absence from training and matches. This conflict has escalated, with Zizo countering by submitting a complaint of his own, demanding payment of his overdue wages while expressing his willingness to return to training, provided his safety is assured by the club's management.
On April 9, Zamalek made the controversial decision to exclude Zizo from their African Confederation Cup quarter-final match against South Africa's Stellenbosch FC, citing his failure to renew his contract which is set to expire at the end of the current season. Reports suggest that Zamalek’s management became aware of Zizo’s alleged agreement to join their arch-rivals, Al-Ahly, as early as March 2025.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Zamalek announced, "We have decided to impose disciplinary penalties on the player according to the regulations due to his rebellion and absence from training and matches. We have also decided to file a complaint against the player to the EFA to protect the club's rights." Zizo has been absent from team training since his exclusion and has missed three investigative sessions arranged by the club, the latest being on Wednesday. He has requested that any investigation take place at the EFA's headquarters due to threats he reportedly received from Zamalek fans if he were to return to the club.
While Zamalek dismissed Zizo's safety concerns as exaggerated, the player sent an official letter to the club indicating his readiness to comply with training schedules set by the club, contingent upon a guarantee of his safety from management—a request that was ultimately rejected. Additionally, Zizo issued a formal warning to both Zamalek and the EFA regarding his overdue wages from the past three seasons, which he claims amount to 70 million Egyptian pounds (approximately one million USD). In response, Zamalek contended that the actual amount owed is closer to 9 million pounds, factoring in fines for his absence from training.
In a further escalation, Zizo filed another complaint with the EFA, accusing Zamalek of publishing a photo of his contract on the club’s official Facebook page. He argued that such actions violate contract confidentiality and have caused him significant harm both professionally and personally. His lawyer, Ashraf Abdel Aziz, stated to AFP, "What the Zamalek administration did by publishing a photo of the contract is a clear violation that threatens the player's life due to fan reactions."
In defense of the club, Kamel Shaaban, Zamalek's legal advisor, countered, saying, "The warning sent by Zizo is completely unfounded. There is no fear or danger that justifies his absence from training, which harms the club significantly." He also stated that the amounts Zizo claims as outstanding are incorrect and not supported by the contract, asserting that the player is making numerous claims to justify his continued absence from training.
In a recent official statement, Zamalek announced that their relationship with Zizo has reached a dead end, with the club indicating that it will conclude his contract at the end of the current season. They requested clarification from Zizo regarding rumors about his obtaining a US visa to participate in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup scheduled for June 2025, hinting at his potential transfer to Al-Ahly, who will also be competing in the tournament.
In a dramatic turn of events, Zizo has also filed complaints against Zamalek with the Professional Players Association, citing threats and intimidation from club officials. He included video evidence showing club employees removing his image from the training ground walls and tearing it down, coupled with derogatory remarks directed at him.
Meanwhile, the footballing world turned its attention to the match between Zamalek and Al-Masry Al-Boursaidi, held on May 1, 2025, at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria. The match concluded in a goalless draw, a result that leaves Zamalek in third place with 39 points and Al-Masry in fourth with 35 points in the Egyptian Premier League standings.
Both teams entered the match with high stakes; Zamalek was aiming for a victory to enhance their chances of securing a top position in the league, while Al-Masry sought to close the gap with their rivals. Zamalek's lineup featured Mohamed Awad in goal, with a defensive line including Ahmed Fatouh, Hossam Abdelmajid, and Salah Mosad, while the midfield consisted of Donga, Mohamed Shahta, and Abdallah Al-Saeed.
During the match, Zamalek had a goal disallowed after Nasser Mansi's effort was ruled out for a handball following a VAR review. Mohamed Shahta also missed a golden opportunity for Zamalek, while goalkeeper Mohamed Awad made a crucial save against a header from Al-Masry's Salah Mohsen.
Despite the draw, Zamalek remains in the hunt for the league title, needing to capitalize on their upcoming fixtures to maintain pressure on the leading teams. Coach Jose Peseiro expressed disappointment over the result, stating, "We deserved to win against Al-Masry," while some critics voiced concerns regarding his tactical approach during the match.
As the league progresses, the focus will undoubtedly remain on the ongoing drama between Zamalek and Zizo, as well as the implications of their conflict on the team's performance and morale. The next few weeks could prove pivotal for both the club and the player as they navigate this turbulent chapter.
