Egypt's FA Fines Zamalek for Fans Misconduct

Zamalek has been hit with an EGP 40,000 fine by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Wednesday for fans misconduct in the recent Premier League match against Arab Contractors.

EFA's competitions committee decided to fine Zamalek for verbal abuse from their fans and their throwing bottles towards the referee in the Arab Contractors match, EFA said in a statement on its official website.

"Zamalek's coach was also fined EGP 15,000 for not attending the press conference after the same match," the statement added.

This is the second successive fine imposed on the Whites in just three days, as the club was handed a hefty EGP 200,000 fine over its chairman's attacking the referee after Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Arab Contractors.

No stranger to controversy, Zamalek's chairman Mortada Mansour launched a vicious attack on referee Mohamed El-Hanafi, saying he had asked EFA officials not to assign the match to El-Hanafi, accusing him of being a member of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.

Zamalek was furious at what it perceived was an illegitimate penalty awarded to Arab Contractors with 10 minutes remaining, which Ahmed Ali converted.

The White Knights, who were awarded a penalty in the game, also said they had a valid claim for another spot-kick waved away by El-Hanafi.

Zamalek is currently preparing for Saturday's anticipated league derby against archrivals Ahly at Alexandria's Borg El-Arab Stadium in a postponed match that could define the season.

Leaders Zamalek failed to restore their four-point lead at the top of the Egyptian Premier League after the draw with Arab Contractors. Ahly thrashed Petrojet 4-0 in their last league match 4 March.

Ahly currently lie second on the league table with 51 points from 22 matches, just two behind Zamalek.