The Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports decided on Sunday to dissolve Zamalek Sporting Club’s Board of Directors, which is headed by Mortada Mansour, and appoint an interim committee to run its affairs.
A ministry statement said that the decision came based on the findings of a financial and administrative inspection committee, which was formed by the ministry in September.
The statement did not elaborate on the committee’s findings. However, it confirmed the presence of financial and other irregularities, which prompted the ministry to refer the report to Egypt’s Public Prosecution.
The ministry decided to suspend and exclude the board, the executive manager, and the financial manager from any club-related affairs until the investigation is over.
The Directorate of Youth and Sports in Giza has been assigned to supervise Zamalek Club via an interim committee for the time being.
Zamalek’s Board of Directors is headed by the controversial lawyer and former parliamentarian Mansour, who has been suspended and fined by the Egyptian Olympic Committee after several transgressions.
In October, the committee suspended Mansour from sports-related activities for four years, fined him LE100,000, and called on the club’s management to elect a replacement president.
The committee also decided to file a case with the Public Prosecution regarding incidents noted in the committee’s investigations.
Additionally, it has further tapped the Supreme Council for Media Regulation to take action against the Zamalek satellite channel over broadcasting offensive discourse that violates the Media Honor Charter.
In November, Mansour lost reelection to parliament after coming in sixth in the Mit Ghamr race. He claimed the elections were rigged and appealed the results in court.
Local media reports expect Mansour to face more accusations directed against him as he will lose his parliamentary immunity on January 9.
These accusations include insulting President of Ahly club Mahmoud al-Khatib, threatening to kill former footballer Ahmed Hassan, offending the Court of Cassation, slandering former president of Zamalek club Mahmoud Abbas, and insulting businessman Mohammed al-Amin.
Other accusations Mansour must face are charges of corrupt sales and currency exchange operations outside the banking system to maximize Zamalek club’s profits.
Edited Translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
