In a dramatic turn of events, Al Ahly SC boycotted the highly anticipated Cairo derby against Zamalek SC, citing concerns over officiating standards.
The club expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment of a local refereeing team for such a pivotal match, fearing potential bias and unfair play.
In response to Al Ahly’s absence, Zamalek FC has formally requested the Egyptian Professional Clubs Association to award them the full three points for the unplayed derby. Zamalek posted the official statement on their social media pages on Tuesday. The club emphasized their adherence to the match schedule and arrival at the stadium, contrasting it with Al Ahly’s nonappearance.
The referee, Mahmoud El-Banna, officially called off the game after a 20-minute delay due to Al Ahly’s absence at Cairo International Stadium. Zamalek now awaits an official decision, advocating for the consistent application of league regulations in their favor.
This incident has intensified discussions about refereeing standards and fairness in Egyptian football, with potential implications for future matches and league operations.
