This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.
Zamalek's move to sign Ahly-target Zakareya unlikely to appease fans Zamalek sign a promising playmaker who was sought by arch-rivals Ahly, but angry fans are unlikely to be appeased
Egypt's success-starved club Zamalek moved to sign promising playmaker Moemen Zakareya from under the noses of Cairo rivals Ahly on Friday but the attempt to strengthen their squad is unlikely to be enough for angry hardcore supporters. Dozens of Zamalek's die-hard fans stormed the club's premises in Cairo and engaged in clashes with security forces on Thursday as they demanded the resignation of the board of directors, chanting against incumbent chairman Mamdouh Abbas whose tenure in office ends in the next few months. Ultras White Knights, Zamalek's main fan group, insisted they would not allow Abbas to complete his term following Thursday's clashes. They said they would nominate an interim board to manage the team until new elections are held. “The blood of the loyal Zamalek fans spilled the club's ground … and the hospitals were filled by injured fans who were targeted by gunshots, birdshots and tear gas from Abbas' thugs and the interior ministry, their main sponsors,” Ultras White Knights said on their Facebook page. The angry supporters staged a protest in front of Zamalek's headquarters after a disastrous run of results saw them fail to qualify for the African Champions League semis following a dismal group-stage campaign. They could only collect four points from five games and a humiliating 4-2 Cairo derby defeat by Ahly compounded their woes and proved the straw that broke the camel's back. The club are mired in a financial trouble that saw Brazilian coach Jorvan Vieira and some key players leave them in the summer. Vieira's successor Helmi Toulan struggled to make up for the absences as Zamalek stretched their barren spell, having not won any trophy since lifting the Egypt Cup in 2008. In an apparent attempt to soothe the fans' anger, Abbas made a new acquisition by signing playmaker Zakareya from ENPPI on a 1-2/2 loan deal despite Ahly's announcement that they had all but secured the player's services. Such signing would have been deemed a victory for Zamalek's fans under normal circumstances. It was too little, too late. “The thug and his board lost their legitimacy … be patient Zamalek, we will cleanse the club,” Ultras White Knights added. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/82094.aspx
