Zamalek at a Crossroads: October Land Crisis Forces Tough Boardroom Decisions
8 January 2026
Background
The board of Zamalek Sporting Club held an important Thursday meeting to discuss the legal and investment fallout from the land withdrawal in October City, and the resulting crushing financial strains that have delayed players’ payments and even prompted some to threaten contract termination.
The session primarily focused on reviewing formal letters from banks and investment firms that had previously agreed to exploit the land, which demanded formal termination of their contracts and repayment of dues following the land withdrawal. This placed the administration in direct conflict with complex financial and legal obligations needing swift resolution to ensure stability.
Current status
Meanwhile, the board did not address concrete plans for an alternate site during today’s meeting, largely because no formal proposals or maps for a new location had arrived. Yet, the prevailing stance inside the boardroom favors accepting the reality of an alternative as the only viable path to end the crisis.
Zamalek is now awaiting the final decision from the Ministry of Housing, amid earlier remarks by Engineer Sherif Al-Sharbini, the housing minister, who said the alternative solution would be provided within three to four months. That deadline is what the club counts on to calm the members and the fans.
Next steps
On the other hand, administrative moves took a tougher stance to safeguard the club’s historic rights, as captain Hisham Nasr, the club’s vice president, previously stated the plan to send an official letter to the presidency to present the crisis details to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Punchline 1: If negotiations had a price tag, they'd charge admission just to watch them argue with paperwork.
Punchline 2: Zamalek’s next press conference might be sponsored by the waiting room—because patience is the only asset growing here.
