Zamalek’s “Club of the Century” Case: “I’m an Ahly Fan, but the White Knights Are in the Right”

Mohamed Bayoumi, an expert in sports regulations, has revealed that Zamalek SC will today submit its "Club of the Century" file to the Egyptian Football Association, as a step towards escalating the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport — adding that although he is an Al Ahly supporter, he is defending the White Knights because they are "in the right".

Speaking by phone to the programme "Sabahkom Riyada" on Youth and Sports Radio, Bayoumi said: "Today the FA will receive Zamalek's file asserting its claim to the Club of the Century title, in preparation for the next step — escalation to the sports court — to obtain a final ruling confirming the White Knights' right to the title." He added: "I am an Ahly fan, but Zamalek is the rightful holder of the Club of the Century title; that is beyond question. The case will not lapse with time — twenty years do not extinguish Zamalek's right to reclaim the title, and there will be many surprises in this matter."

Zamalek is submitting the file to the FA today ahead of a formal complaint to the international sports court. A source within the club's Club of the Century committee said the complaint file would be delivered today, the committee having completed a full memorandum together with video clips and documents which, it argues, prove Zamalek's superior claim to the title over Al Ahly. Ahmed Mortada Mansour, a Zamalek board member, had earlier confirmed that a memorandum had been prepared for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to be followed by FIFA.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the "Club of the Century" mark, Dr Ali El-Moselhy, Minister of Supply, said: "Please — there is no dispute between Al Ahly and Zamalek, and there is no such thing as the Ministry of Supply awarding the trademark to either club." Speaking on "Sabahak Masry" on MBC Masr 2, he explained that any club may apply to register a trademark, but registration is only possible after a competent scientific body examines and verifies the claim in a considered, methodical way.

The minister noted that Zamalek has applied to the ministry to register the trademark and that the application is under review: if supporting documents are verified, it will be approved; without documents, no such mark can be approved, as the matter is a precise scientific and technical one. He stressed that the ministry is in dispute with neither club and works professionally on scientific principles, urging the media to take careful note.