Amir Zaki reveals his reasons for turning down Pompy

[ever]

Zaki rules out Fratton Park switch

Former Wigan striker Amr Zaki has sparked controversy after ruling out a move to Portsmouth in January's transfer window 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."

Source : http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_5713432,00.html

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wow..................... just wow

 

[punky]

Racist, tsk tsk tsk. Nice to see the Saudi don't have the same prejudice.

 

[ever]

be intresting to see if FIFA acts on this

 

[mil1lion]

If those are his reasons then so be it. He can decide to not join a team for whatever reason he likes. Probably not the best idea to post his real reasons though.

 

[sidford]

we were talking about this at lunch saying he'll probably get done by fifa for it because of racism but then someone brought up a good point, bilboa wont sign anyone outside of basque region to play for them surely having a mentality like that is racist as well so could a lawyer argue that case when defending zaki :shrug:

silly boy though for coming out with these reasons though

 

[nightgoat]

So he won't be coming to Spurs then... :shrug:

 

[Marty]

we were talking about this at lunch saying he'll probably get done by fifa for it because of racism but then someone brought up a good point, bilboa wont sign anyone outside of basque region to play for them surely having a mentality like that is racist as well so could a lawyer argue that case when defending zaki :shrug:

silly boy though for coming out with these reasons though

The Athletic Bilbao thing has absolutely nothing to do with racism. They pride themselves at being the Basque "national team", seeing as they don't have a proper one, so from their point of view to sign someone who isn't Basque is like a Frenchman playing for England.

Always thought Zaki was a twat. It's nice to have some confirmation.

 

[Supersonic]

Its not like he has said 'I refuse to play with the Algerian scum' is it?

I dont even think this is all that racist. Yes Zaki clearly holds 'racist' views but he hasnt actually said anything racist

 

[hans]

be intresting to see if FIFA acts on this

why would they act on it?

 

[KentuckyYid]

I assume he'll be withdrawing his hypocritical support for 'kick racism out of football'.

 

[Spursking]

We don't want a player like that anyway. It is about values aswell.

 

[3Dnata]

Fifa are holding a meeting to look into the World Cup play-offs.
They will discuss the henry incident but will also look at the trouble in the AlgeriaEgypt match which sounded like the start of a war to me.
On a side note I bet Pompey fans are glad.

 

[SpurSince57]

So would someone care to point out the racism there?

 

[KentuckyYid]

So would someone care to point out the racism there?

Sure

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.

 

[hans]

His views are a bit extreme, but i dont understand why fifa would have to look into this . . . .? If there were a couple rascist skin head nazis playing for pompey and Zaki said i wouldnt join them for that reason, that also would be rascist wouldnt it? And would you be so quick to shoot him down for saying it?

 

[spurdownunder]

So he won't be coming to Spurs then... :shrug:

:rofl:

Imagine him scoring and celebrating in front of a packed Park Lane chanting 'yido, yido, yido'.

but agree with Spursking - we don't want a player like that.

 

[C0YS]

His views are a bit extreme, but i dont understand why fifa would have to look into this . . . .? If there were a couple rascist skin head nazis playing for pompey and Zaki said i wouldnt join them for that reason, that also would be rascist wouldnt it? And would you be so quick to shoot him down for saying it?

Racist, tsk tsk tsk. Nice to see the Saudi don't have the same prejudice.

tbh Isreal and Egypt are practically at war, the political reasons for this are huge.

I would say its more political then racist. He will probably not be viewed very well there if he was caught celibrating with an Isreali. they hate each other. look he dosen't say because hes a jew. because he is probably not anti-sematic hes anti-isreal a bit diffrent. Having liven in Beriut I can understand that view, I would never take it that far, but the nation of isreal, and their war tactics make me sick

 

[spursandbarca]

how is it rascist that Bilbao dont sign anyone except Eskudi players?????? that is their choice, they arent a rascist club in anyway. They are protecting the heritage of the language and nation. Imagine your language, customs and way of life were opressed by a dictator for 40 years and imagine your reaction

 

[KentuckyYid]

how is it rascist that Bilbao dont sign anyone except Eskudi players?????? that is their choice, they arent a rascist club in anyway. They are protecting the heritage of the language and nation. Imagine your language, customs and way of life were opressed by a dictator for 40 years and imagine your reaction

Agreed, Briton's have only experienced that since 1997.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

Always thought Zaki was a twat. It's nice to have some confirmation.

Agreed. :up: