CAIRO - Top Egyptian club Zamalek didn't complete the signing of Ahmed Hossam ‘Mido' on time, because former club Chairman Mamdouh Abbas didn't pay the first instalment of the deal as agreed, the local media reported on Tuesday. Well-off entrepreneur Abbas had promised to help the Whites, who have been suffering a financial predicament this season, land the towering striker in the winter. However, he didn't live up to his promise, according to Zamalek's football director Ibrahim Hassan. "Abbas should have paid for the first six months of Mido's contract," Hassan told FilGoal.com. "But we were surprised by a letter he sent, asking us to deduct the payment from the club's debt to him. "Now we are in an unenviable situation; the club don't have enough money to pay the money " LE2 million [around $345,00]." Abbas was sacked as Zamalek chief in November after Mortada Mansour, also an ex-chairman of the five-time African champions, had an appeal against the legitimacy of the club's previous presidential elections accepted. For over a year, Abbas gave Zamalek a lot of financial muscle, splashing out cash to bolster the team and offering their stars lucrative contracts. But, after he was relieved of his duties, the Cairo side sank deep into the red and now they owe Abbas LE40 million (nearly $6.9m). "We will try to find other businessmen to support us," Hassan concluded. Mido, who terminated his deal with Ajax Amsterdam early this month due to lack of first-team opportunities, should have put pen to paper at his boyhood Zamalek last week. Meanwhile, the White Knights have backtracked on their decision to exclude Shikabala from their squad for the Champions League match at Ulinzi Stars of Kenya next week. The players trained before flying to Kenya on Tuesday. Shikabala, who took no part in last weekend's goalless draw with Military Production because of suspension, had an argument with Ibrahim Hassan after the match. The 24-year-old tried to enter the Whites' dressing room and talk to the players but was told to stay out, which clearly angered the temperamental ace. Shikabala missed two consecutive training sessions without permission, while his mobile was switched off. "The problem has been resolved in a friendly way," Board Chairman Galal Ibrahim said. "We [the board of directors] didn't want to interfere in a dispute between a player and the coaching staff, but I know that Shika is a good person. He can easily be provoked sometimes."
