Last March, Zamalek’s management announced that it would not extend the contracts of Moroccan winger Achraf Bencharki, Hamed, and Abu Gabal after growing increasingly frustrated with protracted negotiations with the key trio.

Recent reports claimed that the club could give another chance for Hamed and Abu Gabal to keep their white jerseys after Bencharki officially announced that he would be moving on to other pastures, however, Amir refuted all these claims.

“Hamed and Abu Gabal are completely out of Zamalek. We won’t let them stay even if they wanted to play for free,” Mansour told reporters after the team’s 3-2 league win over Ceramica Cleopatra on Tuesday.

“Hamed was missing for 50 days without any documented medical scans. Moreover, we will be opening an investigation with him for getting three unjustified yellow cards in eight matches,” he added.

“Meanwhile, Abu Gabal claimed that he was injured and asked not to train with the team despite the national team’s doctor confirming that he was healthy.”

Hamed, 33, has been one of Zamalek’s most consistent performers over the past few years, playing a key role in helping them claim two Premier League titles, four Egypt Cups, and an African Confederation Cup crown.

His absence in recent matches has left the team with a weakened midfield.

Abu Gabal, 33, became Zamalek’s first-choice keeper following his impressive displays at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon earlier this year, in which he was instrumental in Egypt’s journey to the final, where they lost on penalties to Senegal.

Defending champions Zamalek currently top the league table with 51 points, five ahead of second-placed Pyramids, who played a game less, and seven clear of third-placed Ahly, who still have four matches in hand.

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