Zamalek board of directors gave Henri Michel a vote of confidence after the club were eliminated from the Arab Champions League (ACL) semi-finals. The Cairo giants were handed a 2-1 home defeat to Jordan's Faisali to miss out on winning their first piece of silverware since 2004. The board opted to give Michel, who has just signed a two-year contract extension, more time to rebuild Zamalek and lead the team back to the winners' podium. However, they decided to punish the players for their dismal form against Faisali. The players' dues from the last three Egyptian League victories have been suspended while every player has been handed an additional fine of EGP 5000. Keeper Mohamed Abdul-Monsef was singled out for heavy criticism after letting in two easy goals. The 30-year-old goalie has been given the green light to leave Zamalek at the end of the season in case he receives a European offer. Abdul-Monsef has recently undergone a trial period with Italian Serie A side Lazio and has been a reported target for Catania.
