Zamalek have sought to reassure supporters over their participation in next season’s African Champions League, with club vice-president Hisham Nasr saying the Egyptian champions expect to receive the required continental licence within days.
The Cairo club are working to complete the administrative and financial requirements needed to obtain both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) participation licence and the domestic licence following their Egyptian Premier League title triumph last season.
The issue has become a key priority for the club’s leadership as Zamalek prepare for their return to continental competition, with officials aiming to satisfy all licensing conditions before the revised deadline.
Club expects positive outcome
Speaking during a press conference held to announce one of the club’s new sponsors, Nasr expressed confidence that the licensing process would soon be completed.
“In a few days we will congratulate Zamalek fans on obtaining a license to participate in African championships.”
His comments were intended to reassure supporters amid ongoing efforts to finalise the outstanding requirements needed for approval.
Nasr also used the occasion to congratulate supporters on a series of recent developments at the club.
“I congratulate the Zamalek fans on the Sixth of October grounds, on winning the league, on the launch of the club’s electronic application, and on the constructions witnessed by the current club branch in Mit Okba.”
Outstanding cases remain a key requirement
Zamalek’s management is currently focused on resolving cases in which final rulings were issued against the club before 31 March, a requirement that forms part of the licensing criteria for both continental and domestic competitions.
To meet the regulations, the club must either settle all outstanding financial obligations linked to those rulings or reach repayment agreements with the approval of the players and coaches involved in the disputes.
Resolving those cases has become one of the final steps in ensuring the club is eligible to compete in next season’s African Champions League.
The club believes recent developments have provided additional time to complete the process.
CAF extends licensing deadline
CAF recently announced an extension to the deadline for clubs seeking continental participation licences.
Instead of the original deadline at the end of June, clubs now have until 25 July to fulfil the required conditions and submit the necessary documentation.
The extension gives clubs additional time to address any remaining administrative or financial issues before the licensing process is concluded.
The decision is expected to benefit Zamalek as the club continues efforts to resolve outstanding cases and complete the remaining formalities.
Domestic deadline also pushed back
The Egyptian Football Association has followed CAF’s approach by extending the deadline for obtaining the domestic participation licence to the same date.
Previously, clubs had been expected to satisfy the local licensing requirements by 30 June, but the extension aligns the national timetable with CAF’s revised schedule.
For Zamalek, the additional time offers greater flexibility as officials continue negotiations aimed at closing outstanding cases involving former players and coaches.
The club is seeking either full payment of the sums awarded in those rulings or mutually agreed payment schedules accepted by all parties concerned.
With the revised deadline now in place and senior officials expressing confidence about the outcome, Zamalek believe they are on course to complete the licensing process and secure their place in next season’s African Champions League, while also meeting the requirements for domestic competition.
