CAIRO: Zamalek and Hazem Emam seem unlikely to reach a compromise anytime soon following the controversial assault on the right back, with the dispute taking a fresh twist.
Zamalek board member Ahmed Refaat, one of the club icons, slapped Emam twice across the face after a heated argument that sparked in the wake of sensational statements the 22-year-old released.
The pacey winger exclusively told FilGoal.com that he had got fed up with the ‘unfair’ treatment he has been getting from head coach Hossam Hassan this season.
Emam, a product of Zamalek’s youth system, was summoned by Refaat later on Monday to confirm the authenticity of the interview, but tension quickly rose.
Hassan and his twin brother Ibrahim, football director, attended the meeting along with FilGoal.com correspondent Hossam Adel, who had interviewed Emam.
The former Zamalek prodigy has already taken legal actions against Refaat, while the Whites showed no intention of containing the situation in a friendly way.
"I filed a complaint to the Egyptian FA about what happened," Emam told FilGoal.com.
"Ibrahim Hassan confirmed the incident (during a phone interview with Modern TV).
"I will also submit the testimony of FilGoal.com reporter Hossam Adel. He’s an eyewitness.
"I decided not to report the incident to the police but I want to terminate my contract with Zamalek because I only got LE 20,000 from my overdue payments. the total amount is LE 125,000."
However, Ibrahim stated that the Cairo side owe Emam nothing, saying fines were imposed on the diminutive player of late.
"We can prove that we don’t withhold any payments," he told FilGoal.com.
"Emam was punished because he was interviewed by a journalist without our permission.
"He was fined again for talking to the club’s board in an inappropriate way."