Zamalek have stepped up efforts to end the dispute with Brazilian midfielder Juan Bezerra, insisting that the player must return to training and fulfil the terms of his contract after a prolonged absence.
The Egyptian club are treating the matter as a contractual issue and say they are following established legal and internal procedures to protect their position.
A source within Zamalek told WinWin that the club’s board is handling Bezerra’s case through what it considers the appropriate legal channels, particularly because of the player’s continued failure to attend team training.
The source said the measures taken against the player have been imposed in accordance with Zamalek’s internal regulations.
Bezerra remains contracted to the club for another three seasons, meaning Zamalek believe they have the right to demand his return and compliance with the agreement between the two sides.
The dispute has therefore moved beyond a simple disagreement over the player’s future, with Zamalek now focused on enforcing the terms of his contract.
Zamalek insist Bezerra must return
The club’s position has remained unchanged since the beginning of the crisis: Bezerra is expected to stay with the team and resume training.
Zamalek officials have repeatedly maintained that they do not intend to abandon their contractual rights or accept an arrangement that contradicts their position.
The source said the club’s latest measures are designed to make returning to the squad and training regularly the only realistic option available to Bezerra.
Rather than allowing the situation to continue without action, the board headed by Hussein Labib has chosen to follow formal procedures in an attempt to bring the dispute to an end.
The source also stressed that the club’s actions are not being taken randomly.
Instead, Zamalek are seeking to deal with the player’s absence through legal and administrative measures while preserving the club’s rights under the existing contract.
Contract remains at centre of dispute
The length of Bezerra’s remaining contract is an important part of Zamalek’s argument.
The Brazilian is still tied to the club for the next three seasons, and the Egyptian side believes that this gives it a clear basis for demanding that he honour his obligations.
The penalties imposed on Bezerra were therefore described by the source as being consistent with Zamalek’s internal regulations.
The club’s objective is now to resolve the matter without compromising its contractual position.
According to the source, Bezerra’s return to training would represent a significant success for the board, particularly after officials made clear from the beginning of his absence that they would not surrender the club’s rights.
That stance has remained firm despite the uncertainty surrounding the player’s situation.
Zamalek deny September salary reports
Zamalek have also rejected reports concerning Bezerra’s salary.
Recent rumours claimed that the club had decided to pay the Brazilian his salary for September because of concerns that he could submit a complaint against Zamalek.
The source dismissed those reports.
He said the claims that Zamalek had decided to pay Bezerra’s September salary in order to prevent a potential complaint are untrue.
The denial comes as the club continues to insist that the dispute must be dealt with according to the applicable procedures rather than through improvised solutions.
For Zamalek, the priority remains protecting the club’s legal and contractual position while attempting to bring the player’s absence to an end.
Pressure increases on Bezerra
The latest developments send a clear message to Bezerra that Zamalek are not preparing to release him from his obligations.
The club wants the player back in training and expects him to comply fully with his contract.
The source indicated that the measures being taken could ultimately leave Bezerra with little alternative but to return to the team and resume normal training.
That would allow both sides to move beyond a dispute that has created considerable uncertainty around the Brazilian’s immediate future.
For the Zamalek board, such an outcome would also demonstrate that the club can enforce its contractual rights even when faced with a difficult situation involving one of its players.
The Egyptian club’s management has maintained that it has no intention of giving up those rights or accepting a solution that does not reflect its stated position.
As a result, the coming period could be decisive for Bezerra.
Zamalek are continuing to apply pressure through the procedures available to them, while the player remains absent from training.
The club’s message is straightforward: Bezerra remains under contract, Zamalek expect him to return and the board intends to protect its position throughout the dispute.
