Zamalek defy football ban to set up Smouha fixture

Zamalek coach Jorvan Vieira has been left frustrated with the domestic ban Egyptian team Zamalek has challenged the country's Interior Ministry by deciding to continue with league matches after key players threatened to leave the team. In a move away from the domestic league ban which has been in place since February, the White Knights wrote to the Interior and Defence ministries, informing them that the club's first team will be heading to the Air Defence stadium on January 1 to face Smouha, in their third fixture of the Premier League.
Medhat Bahgat, a member of the Board of Directors said: "All the clubs have come to an agreement to move forward based on the approval of the armed forces to host the league matches. However, if the Interior Ministry does not respond to our letter, we will consider the absence of our opponents as withdrawal from the match. If the Interior Ministry refuses permission, we will hold it responsible and seek compensation."
He added that the clubs had resorted to this measure due to "the state's failure to pay 200 million Egyptian pounds compensation as requested by some clubs. Moreover, Al-Ahly and Zamalek will not benefit from this compensation."