ZAMALEK has strongly criticised Ahli midfielder Mohamed Barakat for what the club claimed was his "immoral" gesture in the Cairo derby on Friday. Zamalek were only seconds away from recording a sensational victory over their arch- rivals when Barakat scored a last-gasp equaliser to end the game 3-3. Zamalek fans alleged that the 33-year-old midfielder then used an obscene gesture directed towards Zamalek fans while celebrating his stunner, which prompted the Cairo club to file a complaint. "The board members are awaiting the Egyptian Football Association's decision regarding the misconduct of Ahli player Mohamed Barakat," a statement on Zamalek's official site reads. "What Barakat did was immoral although Zamalek's fans were exemplary during the match in terms of discipline and behaviour." The Egypt ace vehemently denied any wrongdoing, saying he had not crossed the line by any means while celebrating his goal. "Everybody knows me. I would never do that," Barakat told Dream TV. "I've been playing professional football for 15 years and no way would I make this kind of gesture. After I scored I ran towards Ahli's supporters, so this allegation doesn't make sense. "All I did was raise my hand. I always do that while celebrating." Amer Hussein, the head of the competition committee, said neither the referee nor the match commissioner had reported Barakat's alleged misconduct. Consequently, the incident will not be discussed by the committee. Zamalek remain adamant that Barakat should be sanctioned and the FA's disciplinary committee might take action after examining a video of the incident, Hussein said.
