Mortada Mansour officially ousted from Egypt's Zamalek club chairmanship

Egypt's Al-Zamalek sporting club controversial president Mortada Mansour has been officially ousted from his post after being jailed over the weekend for defaming the rival Al-Ahly counterpart Mahmoud El-Khateeb on social media.

Local news outlet Sada Al-Balad reported that the Ministry of Youth and Sports decided to officially sack Mansour after "he had been found guilty in a misdemeanour and imprisoned accordingly."

An Egyptian court upheld a one-month jail sentence and a one-year suspended sentence against Mansour on 25 March.

The verdicts are final and cannot be appealed before a higher court.

According to Egyptian law, Mansour is now banned from running again for the club's chairmanship position.

"Anyone convicted in a crime that impacted [his or her] reputation cannot legally hold a public position," lawyer Mahmoud Fathy told The New Arab.

Mansour, an ex-judge, lawyer and former lawmaker, is known for his hot temper and vocal criticism of aspects of Egyptian society and public figures.

Last month, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) boycotted Mansour over what it described as "transgressions" committed by him.      

Earlier in the same month, the British head of referees at the EFA, Mark Clattenburg, resigned after five months into the job.

The UK-based Sun newspaper reported that Clattenberg had fled Egypt, sending his resignation letter to the association from home after allegedly receiving death threats from Zamalek fans. 

Based on the report, Mansour had reportedly accused Clattenberg, 47, of being in a gay relationship after leaving his wife, charges Mansour denied a few days later in an interview with a local news outlet.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear when new elections will be held to choose another head for Zamalek or whether a new chairperson will be assigned to temporarily lead the club.

Zamalek is Egypt's second most important club, just behind its long-time rival Ahly. Last year, the club won its 14th title since the premier league championship was launched in 1948. Only fierce local rival Ahly, with a record 42 titles, surpassed Zamalek.