Zamalek Breaks Silence on Youth Sector Claims and Demands Evidence
16 October 2025
Club responds to allegations
In a decisive move, Zamalek's management held a crucial meeting to respond to the latest accusations about irregularities within the club's youth sector. The session was chaired by Hisham Nasr, the vice chairman, with Badr Hamid, head of the football sectors, present to discuss the details circulating in the media. The focus was the recent remarks by former Zamalek star Walid Salah Abdel-Latif on a television program about alleged violations and financial and administrative suspicions within the youth section, spark ing controversy among supporters.
The response was firm. Badr Hamid stated that there are no violations or suspicions in the youth sector and that the department operates under clear rules. He stressed that the sector would be held accountable if anyone could provide tangible documents to prove otherwise and drew a distinction between what is reported on TV and what can be proven with official records, adding that the club refuses to comment on rumors without evidence.
The discussion also offered a logical explanation for the rumors. It is natural for some parents to feel frustrated when their children are not selected after a technical assessment, and some may push rumors against the coaching and administrative staff believing their child deserves a spot. The club views this as a normal facet of competition among big clubs.
Youth as a strategic investment
The meeting reinforced a longer term approach: the youth sector is considered a vital strategic asset for the club. The first team will benefit from a steady stream of talented players, and the club may also gain financially from future transfers. Internally, Yanick Ferreira, the head coach of the first team, has begun following a group of standout youth players closely, with a view to promoting them to training with the first team and integrating them gradually with senior stars.
The current board has placed special importance on the youth sector, describing it as a key investment for the future. The plan is to strengthen the first team while also creating potential revenue through selling homegrown talents to bigger clubs in the coming years. The youth sector has historically supplied the club with top talents, and several promising youngsters have recently been promoted for closer evaluation by the first team.
Ferreira has already promoted three players from the youth team to training with the first team: Mohamed Hamad Farag, Ziad Medhat, and defender Ali Abdel-Majed. The coaching staff also promoted young goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, and players Mohamed El-Sayed and Ayman Amir Abdel Aziz, with Hossam Ashraf among those who have left the club, illustrating the ongoing evolution of the squad. The sector remains a steady source of depth for the first team and a strategic tool to address the club's financial situation.
The overarching message from the leadership is clear: the youth sector will be nurtured as part of a broader strategy to stabilize the club financially and technically, with evidence and due process guiding any further actions. The emphasis is on transparency and accountability, while continuing to rely on a pipeline of young talent to sustain sporting success.
From a sporting perspective, Ferreira continues to emphasize the potential of the next generation, hoping to deliver a homegrown core that can endure long term. The club argues that a strong youth system is not only about results today but about securing a competitive edge for years to come, while also offering a lifeline amid the current financial pressures.
And if you think this is a plot twist, just wait for the transfer window. The club expects that the next batch of graduates may fetch fair value on the market, proving that patience with youth can pay off in both trophies and bank accounts.
Punchlines: If rumors were goals, this would be a night of extra time. And remember, evidence beats gossip every time — so bring receipts, not memes.