CAIRO: Zamalek striker Amr Zaki believes that he has been criticized quite often by Egyptian media because some people want him to leave the country.
Recent reports claimed that TV replays showed that the well-built player had sworn at referee Fahim Omar in Zamalek’s 3-1 win over Smouha in the Egyptian Premier League on Friday.
However, Zaki strenuously denied insulting the referee as reported and revealed his doubts about the local press objectivity.
"I was accused of affronting Fahim in our last match, and that didn’t happen," he told FilGoal.com.
"Some people are seeking to force me to part company with Zamalek and leave Egypt, so they publish baseless stories about me."
Although he stressed that he did not verbally assault Fahim, Zaki deplored the competition committee’s tendency to use video evidence.
"If the competition committee resorts to video evidence, it will have to punish all the Egyptian players," the former Wigan Athletic ace added.
Several years ago, Zaki was sanctioned for swearing during a league game. He was proven guilty because he was caught on camera.
