Zamalek won’t travel to Qatar to play the African Super Cup

Zamalek Club President Mortada Mansour said his team won’t travel to Qatar to play the African Super Cup against Esperance of Tunisia.

“I don’t mind playing against Tunisian Esperance, but I won’t play in Qatar in order to lift a platelet [the trophy],” Mansour said on television on Friday night.

“Like I earlier said, I will not play [football] in Qatar. Zamalek’s handball team didn’t participate in the World Cup because it was held in Qatar,” he added.

Zamalek booked their place in the African Super Cup after claiming the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup title last season and they are scheduled to face the winner of the CAF Champions League title Esperance of Tunisia.

Egypt and several Arab countries severed diplomatic ties with Qatar in June 2017 citing its support of Islamist groups and attempts at destabilizing the region.

“We are ready for any problems the CAF may cause. We won’t play the game no matter what, even if we are relegated to the third division,” Mansour said.

Watch the video here:

https://youtu.be/TxSuaoxFKaU

Zamalek could face punishment by the CAF if they refused to play the Super Cup game.

The CAF signed a deal with Qatar to host the CAF Super Cup for three seasons.

Zamalek are preparing to play the CAF Champions League match against Senegal’s Generation Foot. The Whites dealt a 2-1 away loss in the first leg on 14 September.

The five-time Champions League winners Zamalek just need to win 1-0 in the return match against Generation Foot to book a place in the group stage.