Egypt’s Zamalek board decided to boycott the African Super Cup in Qatar within the next year, the Egyptian club’s chairman Mortada Mansour revealed in a press conference on Tuesday.
“The board voted against playing the Super Cup match in Qatar. It is an enemy country, not a neutral one,” Mansour said.
On Thursday, Qatari satellite TV company beIN Sports announced that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set 14 February as the date of the African Super Cup game in the Qatari capital Doha.
Zamalek booked their place in the African Super Cup after claiming the CAF Cup title last season. They are scheduled to face the winners of the CAF Champions League title, Esperance of Tunisia.
The CAF has signed a deal with Qatar to host the Continental Super Cup for three seasons.
Last October, Mansour said his team would not travel to Qatar to play in the African Super Cup, as Egypt and several Arab countries severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting Islamist groups and attempting to destabilise the region.
Egyptian government have the final say
The Zamalek president voiced his objection to travelling to Doha on Tuesday unless the Egyptian government asked the club to do so.
“From a sports point of view, some board members called for playing the match like other delegations from other sports have done, while others rejected the idea since Qatar seeks to demolish Egypt,” the outspoken Mansour explained.
“Now, the Egyptian government will have the final say in this subject. We will obey the government’s decision in the end,” he added.
According to the regulations of the African football governing body, Zamalek could face a punishment by the CAF if they refuse to play the Super Cup game.
“If we are hit by any sanctions from the CAF, we will head to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Mansour said.
Ahram Online
