Zamalek treasurer Dr Hossam El-Mandouh has escalated the club's ongoing dispute with Ahmed Sayed "Zizo" by raising the matter in Egypt's Parliament, citing major inconsistencies in player contract valuations across the Egyptian Premier League. The conflict centres on Zizo's refusal to renew his Zamalek contract before joining bitter rival Al-Ahly on a free transfer, a move that has sparked formal complaints with the Egyptian Football Association.
El-Mandouh revealed striking discrepancies in how player contracts are registered and valued. "There was a player who asked us for 80 million pounds per season, yet his contract at the Football Association is registered at only 5 million pounds," El-Mandouh stated to media on Sunday. "Is this logical?" The treasurer did not hesitate to name Zizo directly as the player in question and suggested similar irregularities exist across multiple contracts in Egyptian football. He plans to formally bring the matter before Parliament, calling for state intervention to audit player contract files and ensure transparency across the domestic game.
Brazilian Pezzera Standoff Continues
Beyond the Zizo row, El-Mandouh addressed another brewing crisis involving Brazilian midfielder Juan Pezzera, who has been absent from Zamalek since the season commenced. According to the club official, Pezzera is expected to return to Cairo within days, with Zamalek handling the situation through official legal channels rather than public negotiation. "In life there are matters that require negotiation, and we are communicating officially and legally to reach the greatest benefit from the matter," El-Mandouh explained.
Zamalek has adopted a firm stance on Pezzera's status. The club has demanded $6 million as a transfer fee should any club seek to acquire the player, and El-Mandouh warned of "severe legal procedures" if Pezzera continues to refuse his return. The club's treasurer emphasised that any discussion of selling the Brazilian will only occur after he returns to Cairo and formal negotiations take place. This hardline approach reflects Zamalek's broader frustration with contract compliance issues plaguing Egyptian football.
With both the Zizo case and Pezzera standoff now part of official record at the Egyptian Football Association, the coming weeks will reveal whether parliamentary intervention can reform contract practices across the league or if club-versus-player disputes remain the norm in Egyptian football.
