Ahly walk away before receiving medals, press conference called off

Ahram Online , Monday 21 Sep 2015

Zamalek
El Zamalek Chairman Mortada Mansour (R) and players celebrate with the trophy after winning their Egyptian Cup finals derby soccer match against Al Ahly at Petro Sport stadium in Cairo (REUTERS)

Ahly players and management walked out before receiving their second-placed medals following the Whites' 2-0 Egypt Cup final victory over their rivals.

Two first-half goals from star striker Bassem Morsi steered Egyptian league holders Zamalek to the double this season, which came at the expense of Ahly in the domestic cup final.

In a peculiar act, Ahly walked away without receiving their second-placed medals, with Zamalek president Mortada Mansour believed to be the reason behind their stance.

The Reds justified their action by the presence of a Zamalek 'representative' on the podium, while they themselves had no-one to represent them.

There is no love lost between Ahly and the controversial Zamalek chief, who went toe-to-toe with his Ahly counterpart on numerous occasions of late.

And in a related context, the post-match press conference has been called off – with the tension that arose between Mansour and the Ahly management believed to be the chief reason.

Zamalek claimed their third successive Egypt Cup title, while managing to win the season's double for the first time since 1988. 

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