Zamalek president Mortada Mansour has called on the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to suspend Gamal Hamza from its professional footballers' registry on the grounds of misconduct. Mansour said in a press conference in the club headquarters on Thursday that he will submit an appeal signed by 4,000 Zamalek club members to the EFA to revoke Hamza's professional license. The appeal, according to Mansour, states that the player has wronged all the 4,000 Zamalek plaintiffs. Accordingly, Mansour has insisted that the club has no place for "a player like Hamza". The newly reinstated president also said that the person responsible for handing Gamal Hamza the captain's armband in Zamalek's match against Koroum last week will be punished. Hamza had led Zamalek's players on to the field, including captain Hazem Emam, in their game against Koroum last Friday.
Mansour The action was interpreted as a sign of support from the players for teammate Hamza who, a few days earlier, was involved in a heated exchange of words with Mansour on a live Egyptian satellite TV show. Mansour also told reporters that the coaching staff will continue in charge of the team until the end of their contracts, after which they will be evaluated. He, however, noted that any staff member who threatened to quit will in fact be relieved of his duty. When asked about his volatile relation with Ahli, Mansour said that he is looking to start over with Ahli's officials and also with the press, noting he will drop all the legal suits he had previously filed against all parties. With regards to accusations that he had violated regulations, Mansour stated that during his eight months in office all of his decisions were approved by the club board and administration. Mansour concluded the press conference by announcing that he has reached an agreement with Hassan Saqr, president of the Higher Council of Sports, that the club elections will be held on June 28th, 2006. Mansour called on club members to vote for the candidates on his ticket to avoid further clashes within the board.
