💰 El Khatib Discusses Zamalek’s Financial Situation
Sports broadcaster Ehab El Khatib has discussed the financial structures of Egyptian football clubs and the cost of player contracts, focusing on statements attributed to Zamalek vice president Hisham Nasr regarding the club’s spending and revenues during the season.
Speaking on Al Ahly TV’s “Hena Al Ahly” program, El Khatib argued that the discussion surrounding the money spent by clubs should apply across Egyptian football, while referring to several figures that have circulated regarding major transfers.
🏆 Transfer Fees Under the Spotlight
El Khatib referred to a number of figures associated with Al Ahly signings, saying: “People used to talk about Al Ahly spending billions. Look at the deals: Imam Ashour for 200 million, Zizo for 200 million, and Trezeguet for 300 million.”
He then turned to comments attributed to Hisham Nasr and quoted the famous phrase associated with Greek philosopher Socrates, “Speak so that I may see you,” before discussing the reported figures surrounding Zamalek’s annual budget.
According to the figures cited by El Khatib, Zamalek spends around EGP 1 billion per season while generating approximately EGP 500 million in revenue, which would indicate a reported annual gap of around EGP 500 million.
📊 Questioning How the Deficit Is Covered
El Khatib suggested that if the football budget is around EGP 1 billion per year, the financial commitments can become considerably larger over several seasons, although his calculation was based on the assumption that contracts run for three years.
He said: “If every player’s contract is for three years, we are talking about a football budget that could reach EGP 3 billion.”
He argued that major spending is common in football, but raised questions about how a club can cover its deficit when reported revenues do not match expenditure.
⚖️ Financial Fair Play Enters the Discussion
The broadcaster also touched on financial fair play, while stressing that he did not want to go deeply into the issue because it is a complex subject.
He said: “I don’t want to talk about financial fair play because it is a complicated file, but when a club has losses of this size and the revenues are not enough, then you enter into the framework of financial fair play, and that is a big story.”
His comments focused on the financial gap between reported revenues and spending rather than making a definitive assessment of any club’s regulatory position.
🔥 Debate Over Contract and Transfer Figures
El Khatib also questioned the way certain player contracts are discussed publicly, arguing that attention should not be limited to individual figures without considering the broader financial commitments.
He said: “You keep saying Zizo’s contract is worth 5 million and ignore the contracts that were made for 1,000 pounds? That doesn’t make sense.”
He also referred to reported figures surrounding foreign signings, suggesting that some transfer costs may require greater clarification regarding the full financial value of a deal and its associated expenses.
📢 El Khatib’s Main Question: How Is the Deficit Funded?
El Khatib concluded by questioning how the reported deficit is being financed, contrasting the discussion with Al Ahly’s publication of its budget.
He said: “You ask where Al Ahly’s money comes from? Al Ahly published its budget. My only question is: how are you covering your deficit? Where is this money coming from? In the end, everything becomes visible to everyone.”
Official financial statements, audited budgets and documented contract details remain the primary references for assessing a club’s financial position, rather than media estimates or individual statements.
