The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) says it will sanction Zamalek after the Cairo giants failed to turn up for Monday's derby against arch-rivals Al Ahly.
The match in Cairo was called off an hour after the scheduled kick off, with the EFA apologising to fans and saying in a statement it would begin disciplinary procedures against Zamalek.
Zamalek's no-show stemmed from the sanctions handed out to players and officials from both clubs after a brutal brawl when they met in Abu Dhabi last week in the Egyptian Super Cup final.
Zamalek’s controversial president Murtada Mansour was among those fined and banned after the game, which they won 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.
A furious Murtada said his side would not play in Monday’s postponed league game, adding to a long list of eccentric pronouncements that have characterised his time in charge of the Cairo club.
Murtada had appeared to soften his stance on the day of the game, ordering a youth team to travel to play the game. Several reports said the team bus was held up in traffic, and the match was eventually called off when it failed to show up at Cairo International Stadium.
Al Ahly were awarded a 3-0 victory as a result of Zamalek's no-show.
"We have found that there were no obstacles preventing the team’s bus from reaching the venue," the EFA statement added.
The rivalry between Egypt's two most decorated clubs stretches back to 1917, usually played to packed stadiums and fervently followed not only in Egypt but across the Arabic-speaking world. It is regarded as one of the top derbies in world football.
Al Ahly are top of the 18-team Egyptian Premier League, winning all 16 of their matches to lead the standings by 16 points. Zamalek are third with 31 points.
