Mind games represent an essential aspect of football off the pitch, but what Zamalek are doing has nothing to do with sport. Since the Hassan twins have taken charge, one of them, Hossam, is doing a brilliant job on the field, while the other, Ibrahim, is certainly not helping his brother with his endless statements to the media. Zamalek's recent implication to the FA about the possibility that 'other teams' give their players performance enhancers reflects mere desperation, rather than strong character. The absurd request, clearly addressing Ahli players, comes a few days after the Whites' board had officially accused referees of 'deliberately favoring' the league leaders. It is out of question that Ahli's infamous win over ENPPI was marred by a series of errors from the match officials, eventually handing the latter an undeserved victory. But Zamalek's over-the-line reaction followed by their doping claims proves they are sniffing out anything to impede their rivals, rather than focusing on maintaining their terrific form. Earlier this month, Ibrahim Hassan asked the FA to have Zamalek's Egypt players back home on the same night of a friendly in England, so that they 'don't get tired ahead of an important league game' four days later. The players were Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed, Shikabala, Mahmoud Fathallah (all didn't play at Wembley), Hani Saied who didn't start the 'important' game against Petrojet and Mohamed Abdul-Shafi who was suspended. It was obviously another absurd declaration from the White club's official, ahead of what was Hossam Hassan's first genuine test, in other words; it was an attempt to justify a potential defeat. Subsequently, Hassan led Zamalek to a crucial victory over close rivals Petrojet, with no one complaining of being tired.
The Hassans have the quality to lift Zamalek if they paid more attention to football, because on the long run, the outspoken approach could backfire on the team. So it proves that the Hassans have the quality to lift Zamalek if they paid more attention to football, because on the long run, the outspoken approach could backfire on the team. Only in Egypt Unfortunately, Zamalek are not the only club coming up with abnormal stories as almost every team in the Egyptian league is under the illusion of being conspired against. Ahli boss Hossam Al-Badri claimed a conspiracy against his team, while other managers threatened to quit the league in protest over refereeing. Managers' outrage at refereeing is not new to the game, even at the highest levels in Europe, but extravagant reactions are only exclusive to Egypt. Former Arab Contractors football director Mohamed Ramadan resigned from his post in protest against refereeing last week, Masri officially asked to have foreign referees for all their games, while Mansoura threatened to forfeit the league. Petrojet manager Mokhtar Mokhtar blamed other clubs for the significant dip in form that hit his team, claiming that his star players are being distracted by external offers. What an excuse! It is just implausible for most officials in Egypt to keep focusing on the technical side of their respective teams and stop yelling with irrelevant explanations. Certainly the eagerly-anticipated league finale will bring out more and more not-football-related headlines.
