Former Al Ahly star Sayed Abdel Hafiz commented on the ongoing controversy regarding the contract expiry date of Zamalek player Ahmed Mostafa (Zizo), affirming that the player’s contract is valid until the end of the 2024–2025 season, not on June 30 as rumored. Abdel Hafiz added in a TV statement that Zizo will be included in Al Ahly’s squad participating in the FIFA Club World Cup, emphasizing that FIFA will not accept any registration requests that violate legal conditions, even from a club as big as Al Ahly.
On his part, Ahmed Suleiman, a member of Zamalek’s board, revealed that Zizo’s file is currently under the club’s legal department’s supervision, noting a disagreement over the interpretation of the contract’s end clause. Suleiman explained that the question is whether the contract ends with the official close of the sports season or upon the expiration of the period stated in the document. He clarified that this disagreement does not indicate any intention to escalate but rather stems from a textual interpretation of the contract between the parties.
In response, sources within the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) stated that contracts registered with the federation do not specify exact calendar dates but rather tie the contract end to the conclusion of the sporting season. They added that payment schedules for the player’s dues do not affect the contract’s end date. The source confirmed that this principle is standard practice, meaning the contract expires once the team completes its final official match of the season.

Earlier, Zamalek’s board sent two official letters to the EFA and the Disciplinary Committee demanding an explanation for the delay in resolving a complaint submitted by the club since May 4 regarding Zizo’s legal status. In those letters, Zamalek stressed that the player’s contract extends until July 1 and that he is prohibited from transferring to any other club before that date. The club warned that any registration by Mansoura or Al Ahly before the mentioned date constitutes a clear breach of the contract terms, exposing the offending club to legal consequences.

Ahmed Mostafa (Zizo) has recently established himself as one of the most important midfielders in Egypt, significantly contributing to Zamalek’s multiple local and continental titles. With these legal developments, fans and the public await the player’s next move — whether he will remain with Zamalek until the season’s end or if silent negotiations are underway for a transfer once he gets official clearance.
Ultimately, the legal position is clear from the football association and related committees, which maintain that contracts end with the season’s close. However, the matter remains subject to judicial or administrative rulings if new appeals are filed or if clear contract violations occur.