Hilal Al-Quds is in real danger.
The Palestinian champions of the past three seasons are facing an administrative crisis that threatens the continuity of the club's activity.
Since the resignation of the club's mythological president, Dr Bassem Abu Aseb, there is considerable uncertainty, as the players haven't received the salaries since the beginning of the year.
Despite the fact no one is responsible for player and staff salaries, they continue to play.
The crisis broke out in January 2020, but it was only three weeks ago that the players decided to protest against the situation. They do it mainly on social media but continue to play the crucial games such as the AFC Cup games against Al-Ahed (Lebanon) and Al-Jaish (Syria).
In the local league, Hilal is going through a tough season. Still, during times of trouble the team has reunited and gained important victories against Shabab Al-Khaleel, and in the derby against Jabel Mukaber.
It’s too early to say what will come next for Hilal Al-Quds, but one thing is certain: If the players won't receive their salaries soon, it will be the official end of the first empire of modern Palestinian football.
Playing with no salary since the beginning of 2020, with no clear future for a resolution. Hilal Al-Quds players
FEEL-GOOD IN JORDAN
In Jordan, the league returned this weekend after an eight (!) month hiatus in favour of a re-organisation of the rules and agenda, as well as preparing the local scene for the 2022 World Cup.
Besides the very much anticipated games, there was one event which rose above all and showed the beautiful side of football in the Hashemite Kingdom.
Mohammed Abourah is a 16-year-old fan of Al-Wehdat, the most popular team in Jordan. Al-Wehdat represents the sizable Palestinian population in the country - that consists of almost 73% of the population, and is still considered a minority.
Mohammed was a regular member of the terraces at the King Abdullah Stadium but lately has been fighting cancer and receiving chemotherapy treatments.
Last week, dozens of the Ultras Wehdat surprised him under his house, sang together songs of the club and lightened up some pyro to cheer him up.
Decide for yourself.
These gestures show why the Green Hulk is such a massive club in the Middle East.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KNOCKOUT
This is it. The African top club competition is progressing towards its final stages, and it is hectic, emotional and boiling as it could get.
In the past weekend, both Cairo giants got their jobs done.
On Friday, Zamalek knocked out the reigning champions Esperance, after losing 1-0 in Rades, Tunis, but winning 3-2 on aggregate. At the same time, Al-Ahly managed to finish in a 1-1 draw in Pretoria with Mamelodi Sundowns but enjoyed the 2-0 victory from the first game.
Raja Casablanca had a difficult task in facing TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the heat was almost unbearable. It was so bad that at half time, the Moroccans preferred to sit in the parking lot instead of their dressing room.
Mazembe scored first and almost made it 2-0, a result that would have to take the match to penalties, but goalkeeper Anas Zniti kept it safe. Although they lost 1-0, their 2-0 victory in the first match helped Raja, al-Alamy, to go through.
Finally, Raja's city rivals, their perfect alter-ego, Wydad, were fighting for their lives in Rades, Tunisia, against Etoile du Sahel. The bad blood between the sides was high up from the start, and in the second half, Etoile scored through Karim Aribi and set the stadium on fire.
In the end, the 1-0 loss kept Wydad safe (2-1 on aggregate) and sent a message to all of Africa: CAF Champions League this season was at a high level of competition, with many teams playing tactical, physical and explosive football. In the end, though, the continent's got a semifinal involving four of the biggest clubs it has to offer.
The only question remaining is, what will African football fans get in the final:
A Cairo Derby in Casablanca, or a Casablanca Derby in Casablanca. It is unlikely that we will see a Cairo Derby in Egypt, after everything that happened between the Al-Ahly and Zamalek in the past month.
Either way, it is a shame that in such a successful year for the tournament, CAF decided to implement the one leg final system.