Hussein Labib rules out sale of Zamalek or its football team

Hussein Labib says there is no plan to sell either Zamalek or its football team. The club’s board chairman ruled out that possibility as discussion continues within the club about creating a football company.

Speaking on television, Labib said he had waited before responding to the debate. “There has been a lot of talk lately about the football company, and I deliberately chose not to respond until the right time came; my presence today is intended to explain my point of view to the supporters,” he said.

He also stressed the importance he attaches to supporters’ reactions. “The criticism of Zamalek supporters matters more to me than criticism from the press and sports media, because the supporters are the driving force of Zamalek and the club’s icon.” He recalled that “Zamalek first” has been his group’s slogan since 2021 and described the club, in his view, as “Egypt’s greatest sporting fortress.” He said he wants Zamalek to come before himself and the board.

Labib set out the company’s creation as a two-stage process. He said the club had first entrusted responsibility for its football team to a sporting director; the next stage would be to separate the team fully from the club. He added that preparing the project had taken time and that the company had already existed since last year. During the period when John Edward was present, he said, several offers had not been found. The club therefore decided not to rush and to examine the matter further.

On Edward, Labib said he had helped the team win the championship. Regarding the title Zamalek won last season, Labib said it was one of the best league titles in the club’s history, according to Shorouk Sports.

Labib reiterated that there would be no sale and pointed to a financial deficit in the football team. He said its size changes from year to year according to that year’s figures. He presented the company not as a sale plan, but as a project to be implemented gradually, while acknowledging the financial issue.