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The annual match between the Egyptian Premier League champions and the Egypt Cup winners was scheduled to take place on Friday at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.
Zamalek have announced their withdrawal from the Egyptian Super Cup just days before the highly-anticipated fixture against arch-rivals Al Ahly.
The annual match between the Egyptian Premier League champions and the Egypt Cup winners was scheduled to take place on Friday at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.
Ousted Zamalek president Mortada Mansour, who was forced to relinquish his role at the club last month by Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, revealed in a YouTube video on Tuesday that the club's board of directors had officially declined to play against the Red Eagles.
The decision to boycott the Super Cup comes amid grievances with the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), who Zamalek faulted for appointing local match officials for the upcoming game.
“We will not participate in this [farce]… after the Football Association decided to hold the Super Cup with Egyptian referees, then we lose another new tournament like in the basketball final,” Mansour stated in the video.
The announcement by Zamalek has sent shockwaves throughout the football community, with many expressing their disappointment at the loss of a highly-anticipated fixture between two of Egypt’s biggest clubs.
However, it remains to be seen whether Zamalek’s decision will have any impact on the upcoming football season or their future involvement in the Super Cup.
Mansour also apologized to fans who had booked tickets for the Super Cup and expressed the club’s willingness to play a friendly match against the UAE league champions on the same date if invited.
The Egyptian Football Association says they will contact Zamalek to confirm their decision to withdraw. If Zamalek officially withdraw, the EFA will invite Egypt Cup runners-up Pyramids to play against Al Ahly in the Super Cup, according to EFA board member Ihab Al-Komy.
Meanwhile, despite the controversy surrounding the match, Al Ahly have continued their preparations for the game as scheduled, with the team looking to secure a historic 11th Super Cup victory.
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