Zaki rules out Portsmouth switch

Amr Zaki won’t move to Portsmouth this winter. The Zamalek striker, who played for Wigan Athletic on loan base last season, has refused an offer from the South English club. Not for sportive reasons, but because he is unwilling to link up with Israeli duo Avram Grant and Tal Ben Haim as well as Algerian Nadir Belhadj.

Speaking on his personal website, Zaki claims a switch from Zamalek to Portsmouth 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.”

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.