CAIRO: Cairo club Zamalek have been banned from next season s Egyptian Super Cup because they refused to accept their medals when they were beaten in a tempestuous domestic cup final last Friday. Zamalek s arch-rivals, Al Ahli, won the final 3-0 to complete the league and cup double, having finished 14 points ahead of Zamalek in the league.

Zamalek had a player sent off and refused to receive their silver medals after the game in protest at the refereeing. The club was fined $40,000 for their action, officials said. The Zamalek club president has also been suspended by the Egyptian Football Association after a scuffle with rival officials in the VIP area. The Egyptian FA has asked third-placed ENPPI to play Al Ahli in the Super Cup in Cairo on July 23, which marks the start of the 2006/07 season. Reuters