The Portuguese coach José Peseiro, head coach of Zamalek SC, sent a message to the club's fans following the Egyptian Football Association's decision to ban them from attending the Cairo International Stadium during the matches against Bank Al-Ahly and Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Premier League.
During the press conference held before the Bank Al-Ahly match, Peseiro emphasized that the absence of fans will have a significant impact on the team, noting that their presence in matches provides players with extra motivation and strong moral support. Peseiro said, "The absence of fans for tomorrow's match is very impactful, they are a strong source of support for us in every game, but is the punishment only imposed on Zamalek's fans? This is not fair. We need them in every match, and I hope no one will justify their absence. I am waiting for their return in the Pyramids match."
Peseiro's comments come at a sensitive time after the Egyptian Clubs Association decided to impose a penalty on Zamalek due to the behavior of its fans during the previous match against Al-Masry, where some fans directed insults towards the referee. As a result, the association decided to play two matches without fans and imposed a fine of approximately 200,000 Egyptian pounds on the club.
Peseiro expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision to ban the fans, stressing the importance of their presence in upcoming matches, especially given the energetic atmosphere they create in the stands. He pointed out that the team is doing its best to achieve victories in order to make the fans happy.
On another note, Zamalek is preparing for an important match against Bank Al-Ahly tomorrow, Monday, at Cairo International Stadium, as part of the fourth round of the 2024-2025 Egyptian Premier League season. Peseiro is relying on his players to achieve victory despite the absence of fans, asserting that the team has the ability to overcome challenges and achieve its goals this season.
In a related context, the Portuguese coach aims to achieve the best results in the domestic league, despite the pressures resulting from the fans' absence. He highlighted the importance of the players' full focus in upcoming matches, as the team aims to show a strong performance in the league and compete for the title.
This season of the Egyptian Premier League represents a golden opportunity for Zamalek to regain its form after a period of fluctuating performance. Peseiro hopes to contribute to restoring the club to its former position as one of the top teams in Egyptian football. While awaiting the return of fans in upcoming matches, the club's goal remains to achieve victories and continue competing for the top positions in the league.
Additionally, the technical staff of Zamalek plans to strengthen the team in the coming period by signing new players to reinforce positions that need improvement, with the aim of enhancing the collective performance and ensuring the stability of the starting lineup.
