Zamalek's all-time top scorer sacked as assistant coach

Abdul-Halim Ali has been sacked as Zamalek's assistant coach on Friday after he was embroiled in a fight with the team's physiotherapist.<br>

كتب : Hatem Maher

الجمعة، 24 سبتمبر 2010 - 20:17
Abdul-Halim Ali has been sacked as Zamalek's assistant coach on Friday after he was embroiled in a fight with the team's physiotherapist.

The Zamalek all-time leading scorer astonishingly traded punches with Amr Al-Matarawi during Wednesday's training session.

Coach Hossam Hassan said he could not tolerate such behavior, with the success-starved club already addressing some administrative problems.

"What happened is something shameful and disgraceful. I demanded that the board of directors fire both men," Hassan told FilGoal.com.

"I'm not against anybody but what we saw was unacceptable. They threw bottles at each other and my players could have been harmed as a result.

"I and my brother (football director Ibrahim Hassan) have been trying to impose discipline since we took charge of the club so we will not permit any misbehavior."

Ali became a member of Zamalek's technical staff in the summer of 2009 after announcing his retirement from professional football.

Calm Demeanor

The 36-year-old was known for his calm demeanor during his playing days and was often praised for his commitment.

He joined Zamalek in 1999 and spent highly-successful ten years with the club, scoring 130 goals in all competitions.

Ali launched a tirade against twin brothers Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan in the wake of his dismissal.

"Hossam and Ibrahim wanted to get rid of me before that incident. They were already in talks with (former Zamalek players) Tarek Mostafa and Tarek Al-Saied to replace me," he said.

"I hope they won't cite disciplinary reasons for my sacking because everybody knows the difference between my manners and their manners.

"I have always been an example to follow in terms of discipline and commitment, contrary to those who are trying to blemish my reputation now.

"I resolved the minor problem that occurred between me and Al-Matarawi but it was blown out of proportion."

Zamalek are beginning a new era under an interim board of directors after a court ruling disbanded the previous board which was headed by businessman Mamdouh Abbas.

Zamalek's life-long fan Galal Ibrahim has been appointed as the new chairman until new elections take place in July next year.