Standoff in Cairo: Zamalek doubles down on legal stance as Bentayik dispute stalls
7 January 2026
Stalled Talks, Firm Stance: Zamalek's Legal Hold in Bentayik Dispute
A senior official at Zamalek Sporting Club said the planned meeting between the board and Moroccan left-back Mahmoud Bentayik to settle his latest financial dispute was disrupted.
The relationship between Zamalek and Bentayik had shown noticeable tension recently after the Moroccan star formally informed club officials of terminating his contract unilaterally, citing international rules that grant him this right due to the club's failure to pay wages for more than three consecutive months.
The source said in exclusive statements to Kooora that the real reason for delaying the meeting between Zamalek officials and Bentayik is the lack of cash liquidity, even though the player is currently in Cairo.
He added: Mahmoud Bentayik told close associates that he is ready to resolve the crisis but only if he receives all his financial dues, in addition to seeking official and firm guarantees ensuring timely receipt of the remaining contract sums.
And he continued: "The Zamalek board still believes the club's legal position is strong and that the player has no right to terminate the contract unilaterally."
Punchline 1: If Bentayik’s contract dispute were a match, the whistle would’ve blown ages ago—and we’d still be waiting for a bank to fund the goal.
Punchline 2: In football as in finance, cash flow is the real MVP; the rest is just fancy footwork.
