New Escalation: Zamalek Directly Files Complaint Against Zizou to FA Chief Hany Abu Rida
12 November 2025
Background
Zamalek has intensified the feud by filing a fresh direct letter to Hany Abu Rida, the president of the Egyptian Football Association, demanding disciplinary action against Ahmed Mustafa Zizou for his conduct during the Super Cup trophy ceremony after Al Ahly defeated them 2-0.
According to reports, Zizou refused to shake hands with Hamish Nasser, the vice president of Zamalek, on the podium following the ceremony, a moment that has stoked controversy and drawn public scrutiny.
A source cited by KOOORA said the new communication aimed to hold the federation’s leadership accountable and called for sanctions against the player for what was described as an intentional affront to Zamalek’s entity.
The Handshake Incident and Reactions
The letter to Abu Rida emphasized personal responsibility of the federation’s top official, rather than focusing solely on regulatory clauses, arguing the incident harmed the reputation of Egyptian sport.
Zamalek asked for disciplinary measures against Zizou, stating the act was unacceptable for any member of the football family. The club also underscored Abu Rida’s role as the highest authority who witnessed the incident.
The correspondence to Abu Rida does not replace the formal complaint to the Disciplinary Committee but aligns with the club’s broader aim of protecting its rights and sanctioning the player for unsporting conduct with the club’s deputy president, Hisham Nasser.
A note was made about omitting Khaled Mortaji from the letter, despite his public stance in support of the player, suggesting the focus was kept squarely on the on-podium incident and its implications for the protocol.
Broader Context and Reactions
The situation also involves Al Ahly, which filed a separate complaint to the federation alleging that Zamalek fans subjected Zizou to insults during the final in the UAE. The piece recalls that Zizou, formerly a Zamalek star, joined Al Ahly last summer on a free transfer.
Hisham Nasser is quoted stressing adherence to international protocols for trophy ceremonies and questioning why alleged violations by the other side should go unpunished.
As the dispute unfolds, both clubs and the federation face pressure to resolve a controversy that has cast a long shadow over Egypt’s most storied rivalry and the enforcement of sportsmanship standards.
Punchline 1: If protocol were a goalkeeper, Zizou’s handshake would have eaten a card and still saved nothing but the drama. Punchline 2: In football, the only thing more guarded than the trophy is the protocol—welcome to the sport where etiquette sometimes needs its own yellow card.
