Zamalek players Shikabala, Hazem Emam and Salah Soliman
Zamalek trio Mahmoud Abdel-Razek (aka 'Shikabala'), Salah Soliman and Hazem Emam have been arrested at Cairo airport and transmitted to Al-Nozha police station for reportedly abusing a military officer, Ahram Sports reported.
The Zamalek team trip from Hurghada to Cairo was delayed for over an hour on Monday after the team's star player Shikabala was involved in a personal conflict with an officer at the airport.
"While the Zamalek delegation was at the airport, a pilot officer was at the cafeteria with his wife. The pilot was wearing a red jersey, supporting Zamalek rival Ahly. A verbal dispute occurred between him and Shikabala, developing into a physical confrontation," manager of Hurghada airport, Sami Abdel-Menem, told Ahram Arabic gate.
Zamalek fans commented it's "Shikabala's turn for disputes with military in media reports," after Ahly star Mohamed Abou-Treika, who was linked last month to a similar case, denied allegations.
The players filed a complaint at Cairo Airport as soon as they landed, a source revealed to Ahram Arabic gate.
"Shikabala didn't start the dispute, it was the officer who started teasing the players with his red shirt (the jersey's color of their arch-rivals Ahly)," Hamada Anwar, a member of Zamalek's football staff told Ahram Sport.
The Cairo-based team was returning from Gouna after winning to South Africa's Orlando Pirates 2-1 on Sunday in round four of the African Champions League group stage.
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