Zaki Rules Out Switch To Pompey

Zaki rules out Pompey switch

Former Wigan striker Amr Zaki has sparked controversy after ruling out a move to Portsmouth on race grounds.

Zaki was believed to be a target for Portsmouth when the transfer window reopens with club shareholder Sulaiman Al-Fahim expressing an interest in bringing the Egyptian to Fratton Park.

However, Zaki has revealed he has no interest in moving to Portsmouth as he is unwilling to link up with Israeli duo Avram Grant and Tal Ben Haim as well as Algerian Nadir Belhadj.

There is bad blood between Egyptians and Algerians following last week's controversial World Cup play-off between the two countries, while some Arab Muslims do not see eye-to-eye with Israelis.

Speaking on his personal website, Zaki claims a switch from Zamalek to Pompey is no longer an option because of the fact Grant, Ben Haim and Belhadj are all at the club

"I refused their offer before, but now joining Portsmouth is no longer an option for me," Zaki said.

"After Portsmouth signed an Israeli player and also hired an Israeli football director (Avram Grant), a possible move was ruled out.

"On top of that, no way could I play at Portsmouth with an Algerian within their ranks."


http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5713286,00.html

Ever so slightly racist.

We have no chance of signing him with Yossi in our team then.

Ever so slightly racist.

No. Just racially insensitive.

tw*t.

He wouldn't really be playing for them much though because every time he goes away to play for his national team he is about 6 weeks late on returning.

Remember all the hype about him, and then he was sh*t for the rest of the season.

Looks like he's got a horrible attitude too. Just not the type of player you'd want at your club at all.

What a 'high-maintenance' night mare to manage....this is footy mate !!!!!

T**t.

Bit out of order that. He's entitled to choose whatever clubs he wants and his reasoning is not racist IMO. I don't know about the rivalry about Egyptians and Algerians in too much detail so I'm not going to make a sweeping statement regarding it.

Bit out of order that. He's entitled to choose whatever clubs he wants and his reasoning is not racist IMO. I don't know about the rivalry about Egyptians and Algerians in too much detail so I'm not going to make a sweeping statement regarding it.

Rivalry or not, to say you won't join a club because there is an Algerian playing for them is kinda racist, IMO. That's like me not wanting to live next door to a black man, purely because he's black.

It's because there were some recent incidents at a Algeria vs Egypt football match, in which fans were killed.

Bit out of order that. He's entitled to choose whatever clubs he wants and his reasoning is not racist IMO. I don't know about the rivalry about Egyptians and Algerians in too much detail so I'm not going to make a sweeping statement regarding it.

Not racist you say?  The fact he won't go to Portsmouth because of 2 Israeli's at the club is 100% F***ing racist and his comments are bloody disgraceful.  So much for Fifa wanting to kick racism out of football.  If it was up to me I'd have these comments investigated and give him a 2 year ban for being a racist tw*t.

I don't know much about the Algeria/Egypt rivalry and I do know that some people across the world take issue with Israel, but as a professional footballer, Zaki should be ashamed of himself for these comments.

It's completely racist and has no place in football or society!!  he is making a judgement on people purely because of their religion or nationality.  I have no problem if he knows them and says that he cannot get on with them because of a clash of personality.  this happens in life.  but he doesn't know them and has already decided he doesn't like them because of their religion and in the other case, place of birth.  what a tw*t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So no wonder we didn't go in for him when he finished his loan deal at Wigan!