Zamalek’s Clash with Zizo: Debts, Delays, and a Contested October Land Showdown

October Land Controversy

Kamāl Shuaib, the legal adviser to Zamalek's board, stated that Ahmed Mustafa Zizo, the winger who left Al Ahly, owes the White Knights money dating back to his time with the club.

In a TV interview, Shuaib said that Zizo has dues to the club, not the other way around; the Football Association delayed the session to prepare contracts and documents for the advertising revenue share in which the player and the club would hold a 25% stake.

The federation reportedly asked Zamalek to provide documents proving the club's entitlement to a share of the ads, so the hearing was postponed to assemble these documents and respond to the player. The delay, he emphasized, was not initiated by Zamalek but came from the federation to supply the paperwork.

Shuaib rejected the figures circulating about debt, saying it is not true that Zizo owes 82 million pounds; the number is far from accurate, and the club has supplied documents, transfers, and receipts showing he received his entitlements.

He added that Zizo's annual salary with Zamalek is under 40 million pounds and that the amounts being demanded are illogical and not correct.

According to Shuaib, Zizo has no entitlements against Zamalek after accounting for ad shares and sanctions; in his view, he owes the club. He further asserted that Zizo has received all his dues and signed receipts for the sums paid to him.

He noted that many reports claimed Zamalek asked to delay the hearing on Zizo's complaint scheduled for today; the legal adviser denied that assertion and clarified the club's position.

October Land

Shuaib said the board, chaired by Hussein Labib, is awaiting an official decision on the return of October land. The club will not receive a substitute plot, but he noted an additional plot in the Fifth Settlement may be available. The club’s stance on October land is described as solid, with a memo sent to the Prime Minister, and there is optimism for a formal decision to return the land given the work already completed and the fans' special attachment to it.

He added that the club plans no replacement housing and that the aim is to exploit the land for investment, including selling some units to fund the construction of a new branch and to help pay debts.

The Housing Ministry has offered an additional plot in the Fifth Settlement, and the club is exploring options to resolve the October land issue and move forward with a third branch project.

Hearing Session

Earlier, the Football Association's Players’ Affairs Committee held a hearing for Zizo, attended by the player’s lawyer and a lawyer for Zamalek. Zizo and his counsel reiterated their demand for 83 million pounds, asserting this is the value of his dues under his last contract with the club.

Meanwhile, Zamalek officials pressed for 25 million pounds as compensation for endorsements and programs that were not paid to the club.

It was also noted that Zizo refused a renewal with Zamalek and moved on a free transfer to Al Ahly for five years, participating with the club in World Cup fixtures held in the United States.

Sabotage Claims

Hossam Al-Mandouh, the club's treasurer, said the administration maintains ongoing correspondence with the Housing Ministry, the Youth and Sports Ministry, and the Prime Minister's Office to clarify the October land matter. He insisted that Zamalek's position is 100% correct and mentioned a grace period extending to 2026. He criticized previous boards for delays in exploiting October land, noting that once his team took charge they moved to secure approvals and began work, emphasizing that rumors about selling the land were unfounded. The club has a contract with a government developer and stresses that it will avoid any missteps or misstatements about finances or land use.

Al-Mandouh added that there is no talk of a compound or residential development in the papers; the club deals with authorized parties only and envisions investment via rent, usufruct, or selling part of the land under 20 feddans to raise funds for a new branch. He stressed that all necessary documents prove the plan and warned against negative talk aimed at sabotaging Zamalek, insisting the club's stance is 100% solid.

As the club frames its case, the overall narrative centers on safeguarding club assets, honoring contractual commitments, and pursuing strategic expansion—whatever the headlines throw at them. Punchlines aside, the real game is about stabilizing finances and growing the club’s footprint.

Sniper’s note: If drama paid salaries, Zamalek would sign a mega deal tomorrow. Sniper line two: When life gives you a complicated land deal, make a plan, then sell a few units and call it diversification.