Zamalek's Board Suspended Over Financial Irregularities

  Zamalek's Board Suspended Over Financial Irregularities   By Editor The days of Mortada Mansour as Zamalek's chairman might be over after his entire board was suspended by Egypt's sports ministry over financial irregularities, with an interim committee set to take over until the eccentric lawyer is investigated. The sports ministry confirmed on Sunday widespread speculation that Mansour, an acid-tongued chairman who is known for his wild attacks on opponents and critics, would be relieved of his duties. "The ministry has decided to refer the financial violations mentioned in its report to the Public Prosecution," it said in a statement. "It also decided to suspended Zamalek club's board of directors … on a temporary basis until the conclusion of the Public Prosecution's investigations ... or until the legal period prescribed by law for the board of directors expires, whichever is earlier." The ministry did not specify the financial irregularities that had cost Mansour his place, but recent reports said the charges he might face include squandering public funds. Zamalek's board had previously come under investigation for using a private bank account to manage its financial affairs after the club's account was frozen due to arrears owed to several entities and businessman Mamdouh Abbas, a former Zamalek chairman. Mansour has drawn the ire of many by launching wild outbursts on anyone who dared to question his leadership of Zamalek or criticise his conduct. The sports ministry said that Ahmed Bakri, a judge at the Cairo Court of Appeals, would head the new interim committee, which also includes two former Zamalek football stars in Ayman Younes and Ismail Youssef.