Zamalek barely had time to celebrate moving top of the Egyptian Premier League table after facing the reality of a mounting financial crisis that brought them down to earth. Wednesday's convincing 2-0 home victory over surprise package Police Union put the success-starved side in an unfamiliar position on the summit of the premier domestic competition which they have not won since 2004. Police players huffed and puffed to cope with an entertaining display from Zamalek's lively forwards, with winger Shikabala being the guiding light after he scored two superb goals either side of the interval. Hardly knowing what is going on behind the scenes, Zamalek's ecstatic supporters started talking about a serious title challenge and possible triumph which would be the ideal gift for a club that are preparing to celebrate their centenary next year. But the joyous fans shifted their discussions on Thursday after Zamalek's interim chairman Galal Ibrahim made a shocking announcement about the club's financial position. "We have around $35,000 in cash in the meantime," life-long Zamalek fan Ibrahim, whose tenure should end in the summer of 2011, told CNN Arabic. "For this reason we are struggling to extend the contracts of some players, as well as making new deals." Ailing Giant Zamalek are one of the traditional heavyweights in Egypt and Africa with more than 30 domestic and continental titles under their belt. But administrative instability cost the Cairo giants dearly in the past six years, during which they could only lift one trophy - the Egyptian Cup in 2008.
Galal Ibrahim lifting heavy burden A succession of board of directors vowed to help the club rely on their own income to compete with arch-rivals Ahli for big-name signings and hold onto their key and sought-after players. That aim was never fulfilled, however, as Zamalek continued to depend on the financial backing of controversial lawyer Mortada Mansour and wealthy businessman Mamdouh Abbas, who rotated the club's chairmanship between them during a barren run. Abbas, another faithful Zamalek supporter, used to pump cash into the club until being relieved of his duties by a court ruling which said that last year's elections were rigged, paving the way for Ibrahim to lift the heavy burden. "The club are in a serious trouble because we have many commitments related to football and the other sports," Ibrahim, who doesn't have the financial muscle of his predecessor, added. "I made a plea to the businessmen who support Zamalek to give the club a helping hand but my request fell on deaf ears. "Some of them even attacked me although I'm not the one who sought to become president. The interim board is facing a difficult task." Huge Debts According to the figures released by Ibrahim, Zamalek's debts had risen to over EGP 100 million. The huge debts threaten to derail a promising league run for the White Knights, who appear to have regained their status as Ahli's main challengers for the league title after coach Hossam Hassan turned around their fortunes. Zamalek should tackle the very old problems which several Egyptian Premier League teams, the so-called popular ones, constantly encounter.
Shikabala facing uncertain future The majority of Egyptian clubs are now owned by financially stable companies but the likes of Ittihad, Ismaili and Zamalek are still reeling due to persistent financial difficulties. They fail to make use of their strong brand image to generate income and usually call for aid from the government, which supposedly owns those clubs but offers little help. Such a situation should change when the league turns professional in the 2012-2013 season to comply with the rules of world governing body FIFA. Under those rules, no state-run clubs will be allowed to play in the league, giving potential investors the green light to buy stakes in the struggling outfits. But Zamalek can not afford to wait until that happens. They should address their financial problems as soon as possible to avoid possible drastic consequences. Shikabala might be sold and influential defenders Mahmoud Fathallah and Hani Saied might opt not to extend their contracts, which will run out at the end of the season, if Zamalek failed to put an end to the ongoing crisis. "We are still alive. Any team in our circumstances will fall but we are can still come through the crisis unscathed," the club's football director Ibrahim Hassan, the twin brother of head coach Hossam, said. "We will have adequate funds soon to renew the deals of our players, even without the help of our sponsors." Zamalek said they are looking to collect overdue payments from the Egyptian FA and Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU) to alleviate their woes. But they should learn how to stand on their own feet to find a long-term solution.
