Handshake Havoc: When a Podium Moment Turns into a Formal Football Fracas

A Formal Complaint Over a Podium Moment

The board of Zamalek has filed a formal complaint with the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Egyptian Football Association against Al Ahly winger Ahmed Sayed Zizo after the controversy surrounding the trophy ceremony of the Egyptian Super Cup in the United Arab Emirates, specifically Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahly secured the Super Cup title for the 16th time with a 2-0 win over their arch-rivals, played at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

During the medal presentation, Zizo, a former Zamalek player, reportedly bypassed a handshake with Hisham Nasser, Zamalek’s vice chairman, sparking surprise and anger from the Whites’ camp.

Hisham Nasser characterized Zizo’s conduct as undisciplined and also criticized Khaled Mortagy, the club’s secretary, for publicly celebrating the moment and posting photos on his Facebook page.

Zamalek argues that the act violates established protocols and sportsmanship and has called for sanctions under Article 6/6 of the Disciplinary and Ethics rules, which govern offenses toward the federation, the organizers, or officials of the game.

In its formal complaint, the club requests appropriate penalties against Zizo for violating the norms of respect toward an opposing club official and for breaching the sport’s expected decorum.

The move aligns with Nasser’s earlier statements that Zizo should be referred to the disciplinary committee without awaiting a formal club complaint, arguing the incident was clear and warranted action.

Rumors about whether the complaint would be filed were put to rest by official notification, ending the speculation surrounding the incident.

Zizo had joined Al Ahly on a free transfer in June after talks with Zamalek over renewing his contract stalled due to financial demands from the White Castle.

Protocols, Ethics, and International Standards

Hisham Nasser later stressed that international norms and clear trophy-ceremony protocols exist, and violations should trigger consequences. He questioned why, when one side adheres to protocol while the other does not, there is a lack of reciprocal disciplinary measures.

He urged that Zizo be referred to the disciplinary committee in the Egyptian federation without waiting for a formal complaint from Zamalek, arguing that the incident was obvious and deserving of sanction.

Nasser also referenced a prior situation involving a Zamalek handball player and a board member who urged a handshake; the follow-up required compliance in subsequent interactions, illustrating that consistency matters across sports within the same footballing family.

He affirmed that Zizo is a player of significant talent and value, noting that tensions surrounding his departure from Zamalek were not entirely resolved by his move to Al Ahly.

Super Cup History and Rivalry Context

Historically, Zamalek was among the first to lift the Egyptian Super Cup in the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons, but Al Ahly has dominated the competition in most years since, claiming the trophy again last weekend. Zamalek has secured the title four times, most recently in the 2019-2020 campaign.

The Super Cup has also changed hands in other years, with the Contractors (Al Mokawloon Al Arab) winning in 2004-2005, Haras El Hodoud in 2009-2010, and Tala’ea El Gaish in 2020-2021, reflecting a broader spectrum of challengers beyond the two giants.

The episode is not the first flashpoint in this storied rivalry. A prior incident involving a Zamalek handball player and a board member who urged a handshake underscored how sensitive this boundary moment can be for club pride and league reputation.

Despite the controversy, Zizo is recognized for his quality on the pitch, and his public relationship with both clubs has been complicated since his departure.

The Bottom Line

As the dust settles, the clash over protocol and the prize on the podium continues to fuel debate about sportsmanship, discipline, and how rivalries should be managed in Egyptian football.

Punchline 1: If protocol had a trophy, it would come with a reserved seating section for referees and a rulebook that double-checks every handshake. Punchline 2: In football, the only thing lighter than the ball is the chance of a quiet podium moment—guess this one proved even the podium has opinions.