Lawyer Mohamed Osman, the legal advisor to Al-Ahly Club, announced that Captain Mahmoud Al-Khatib, the club's president, has officially decided to withdraw three final court rulings against Mortada Mansour, the former president of Zamalek Club. These rulings were in Al-Khatib's favor in defamation, slander, and libel cases.
Osman explained that the rulings included financial fines totaling 70,000 Egyptian pounds, which were distributed across three rulings: the first being 20,000 pounds, the second 40,000 pounds, and the third 10,000 pounds as temporary compensation. The withdrawal procedures were legally and officially carried out on Monday morning as part of the reconciliation that was recently reached between the two parties.
The decision to withdraw came after initiatives aimed at ending the legal and media disputes between the two sides, a move that many considered to be a new beginning between two prominent figures in Egyptian sports. The reconciliation between Al-Khatib and Mansour was made through their lawyers after weeks of consultations, which ended in a comprehensive agreement to settle their mutual legal disputes.
In return, Mortada Mansour stated that he had made contacts with Al-Ahly’s lawyer and that an agreement had been reached to officially complete the reconciliation by documenting the withdrawals at the notary office, adding that the agreement also included media calmness from some pages and platforms affiliated with or supporting both clubs.
This withdrawal represents a significant turning point in the relationship between Al-Ahly and Zamalek, after years of legal disputes and mutual statements that reached the courts.
Sources close to both sides confirmed that the reconciliation not only focused on ending the legal cases but also included an understanding on controlling media discourse and opening a new chapter of mutual respect, which serves the interests of Egyptian football and eases the intensity of fan tension.
Observers pointed out that this step reflects a clear desire from the sports leadership to prioritize the public interest and demonstrate a sense of responsibility in handling disputes, especially since both figures enjoy a significant fan base in the sporting arena.
Although the conflict between Al-Khatib and Mansour has been one of the most controversial issues in recent years, this reconciliation represents a real opportunity to enhance the atmosphere of peace between the two clubs, especially at a time when fierce competition is taking place in all local and continental tournaments.
Prominent sports and media figures praised this step, considering it the beginning of a more stable environment, especially since many of the disputes between officials of major clubs directly affect the fans and increase division and tension, which does not serve Egyptian sports as a whole.
In a related context, some leaks suggested that efforts are underway to hold a friendly meeting between Captain Mahmoud Al-Khatib and Mortada Mansour in the near future, with the presence of intermediaries from sports and legal figures to solidify and publicly confirm the reconciliation.
It is expected that further developments will take place in this context, with widespread media and fan anticipation regarding what the relationship between the two parties will bring, and whether this reconciliation will be permanent or just a temporary ceasefire.
In the end, this step reflects a strong message about the need to separate competition on the field from personal or legal disputes off the field, and to work on establishing values of mutual respect between sports institutions.
