Zamalek's hardcore fans, Ultras White Knights, have announced they will the break crowd ban at the Egypt Cup final on Saturday.

"Fans attendance at the Egypt Cup final is neither debatable nor negotiable. The Ultras White Knights will be on the battle field," said a statement published on the group's Facebook page, which had 400,000 members.

Zamalek will play Wadi Degla in the Egypt Cup final on Saturday in the Red Sea resort of Gouna, 430km from Cairo.

"Whether you agree or not, the white crowd will be in Gouna," they added.

The competition has been played behind closed doors due to security concerns after the army ousted elected president Mohamed Morsi amid mass protests on 3 July.

The Egyptian Premier League has been canceled for two consecutive seasons. The 2012 season was canceled due to the killing of dozens of fans at the Port Said stadium. The following season was halted due to security concerns after Morsi's ouster.

"The best moments for fans are those they spend supporting their team during their glories and victories," the Ultras added.

The match will be held just one day before the CAF Champions League final at Cairo's Air Defense stadium. Supporters have been given permission to attend the match. Ahly are competing for the African trophy with South Africa's Orlando Pirates. They drew 1-1 in Johannesburg.

"We will renew our activities and hold the flag of martyr Amr Hussein [who died last month during clashes with police at a protest against the club's board following their elimination from the CAF Champions League]," Zamalek fans insisted.

The Egypt Cup final will take place ten days before the second-leg of the national team's World Cup playoff against Ghana, who won 6-1 home in Kumasi.

Security authorities may allow fans to attend the game to avoid a confrontation, especially as they previously let a small crowd attend some Ahly and Zamalek continental games held in Gouna.

The 21-time cup winner's opponent in the final are Wadi Degla, a new club with limited popularity. Under former Olympic team coach Hany Ramzy, they have qualified to the final for their first time.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.)



https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/85785.aspx