As it was earlier in the year at the CAF Super Cup contested by Egyptian giants, Ahly and Zamalek, the Egyptian Super Cup contested by the same teams had to be decided by penalty shoot-out.

But unlike in the CAF Super Cup where goals were scored in regulation time and Zamalek emerged winners after a penalty shootout, the reverse is the case this time.

Ahly secured their 15th Egyptian Super Cup title on Thursday, defeating arch-rivals Zamalek 7-6 on penalties following a goalless draw in regular time in Abu Dhabi.

The Red Devils avenged their loss to Zamalek in the African Super Cup just four weeks prior, when they were beaten on penalties by their Cairo neighbours.

However, the match was played under the cloud of controversy, as three Zamalek team members were detained in Abu Dhabi in the days leading up to the game.

The possibility of the Egyptian Super Cup holding in Abu Dhabi, UAE is shrouded in big doubts.

Egyptian newspaper, Ahram reports that Zamalek are considering withdrawing from the match after an altercation with security officials led to the detention of some team members.

Mostafa Shalaby and Nabil Emad were involved in a heated dispute with officers at the stadium following Zamalek’s penalty shootout victory over Pyramids FC on Sunday.

It is unclear how the incident began, but video footage shows an altercation between the players and security personnel.

Shalaby and Emad, along with football director Abdel-Wahed El Sayed, were summoned to a police station in Abu Dhabi early on Monday and have not yet been released.

“An urgent meeting is now taking place between Hussein Labib, the club’s president, Hossam El Mandouh, the treasurer, and the head of the mission, to discuss not completing the Egyptian Super Cup and returning to Cairo as soon as possible due to the inappropriate atmosphere and unbearable pressure the delegation is exposed to,” club spokesman Ahmed Salem said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The head of the board and the head of the delegation have been at the police station since early morning due to the officials’ decision to detain the players,” he added.

According to Egyptian media reports, Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy and the Egyptian ambassador in Abu Dhabi are holding talks to resolve the situation and prevent further escalation.

Zamalek are scheduled to play Ahly, who beat Ceramica Cleopatra 2-1, on Thursday in the Final.

German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.

Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.

“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.

“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”

The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.

Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.

“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.

Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.

“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.

Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.

Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.

-Reuters