Egypt: Zamalek boycotts the derby against Al Ahly!

Mortada Mansour followed through on his threat as Zamalek SC failed to appear for Monday’s highly anticipated league derby against Al Ahly SC at the Cairo International Stadium.

Just three days after defeating the same opponent in the Egyptian Super Cup, the White Knights were notably absent from the pitch. Al Ahly, however, arrived as scheduled and waited in accordance with regulations. Thirty minutes after the official kickoff time, the referee blew the final whistle, officially awarding the victory to the Red Devils due to Zamalek’s no-show.

The dramatic turn of events had been foreshadowed. Two days before the match, Zamalek president Mortada Mansour publicly declared that his club would not participate in the derby. His decision came as a protest against sanctions imposed by the Egyptian Football Federation following incidents that occurred during the Super Cup clash between the two Cairo rivals. Tensions had been high after that encounter, and Mansour’s announcement escalated the situation further.

Despite the president’s strong stance, there were mixed signals in the buildup to the fixture. The day after Mansour’s declaration, head coach Patrice Carteron revealed a list of young players, suggesting that Zamalek might still field a team for the match. However, when match time arrived, none of those players were present, confirming that the club would indeed boycott the derby.

The Egyptian Football Federation responded swiftly in the aftermath. In addition to awarding the three points to Al Ahly, the federation announced further sanctions against Zamalek for failing to honor the fixture. While the exact nature of the penalties was not immediately detailed, such disciplinary measures typically include fines and potential points deductions, depending on the governing body’s regulations.

The incident adds another chapter to the long-standing rivalry between Egypt’s two most successful clubs. Matches between Zamalek and Al Ahly are among the most fiercely contested in African football, often carrying significant sporting and emotional weight. This particular derby, however, will be remembered not for action on the pitch but for the controversy surrounding Zamalek’s absence.

From a sporting perspective, the outcome strengthens Al Ahly’s commanding position at the top of the league table. The Red Devils now sit on 48 points from 16 matches, holding a 17-point advantage over Zamalek, who occupy third place. The gap underscores Al Ahly’s dominant form this season and places additional pressure on their rivals as the campaign progresses.

For Zamalek, the decision not to appear may have broader consequences beyond the immediate forfeited match. The federation’s sanctions, combined with the potential impact on team morale and public perception, could influence the remainder of their season. Meanwhile, Al Ahly continue their march toward another league title, benefiting both from their performances on the field and from their rival’s costly absence.