Speculation over Zamalek SC’s financial position following their CAF Confederation Cup final defeat has been dismissed by Egyptian media personality Khaled El-Ghandour.
Reports had suggested that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) planned to deduct a significant portion of Zamalek’s runners-up prize money due to outstanding fines from previous disciplinary cases.
Zamalek lost the Confederation Cup final to USM Alger on penalties after the two-legged tie finished 1-1 on aggregate. The Algerian side went on to claim the title and a $4m winners’ prize, while Zamalek are due to receive $1m as runners-up.
However, El-Ghandour rejected claims that the club will face any new financial penalties.
Speaking on the “Al-Mahwar Stadium” programme, he said: “There are no deductions or penalties against Zamalek at the moment.”
He added that earlier financial issues had already been dealt with through previous CAF competition payments.
“The old amounts were deducted from the bonuses of previous championships, and the Zamalek administration appealed the decisions before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” he said.
His comments appear to calm growing concerns among supporters about the club’s finances following their continental final defeat.
Meanwhile, El-Ghandour also addressed ongoing uncertainty surrounding Egypt’s allocation of a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
He said the Egyptian Football Association is expected to seek clarification from CAF regarding which club should take the remaining qualification spot.
ZED FC believe they are entitled to the place as Egyptian Cup runners-up, while Ceramica Cleopatra FC are also pushing their case after finishing fourth in the Egyptian Premier League.
The situation has left Egypt’s final representatives in continental competition unclear, with an official decision from CAF now awaited.
