Al Ahly strongly deny EFA letter in recording dispute

Al Ahly have dismissed reports that the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has granted approval for the club to review recordings linked to a recent domestic match, insisting no such communication has been received.

The Cairo-based club moved to clarify the situation following widespread speculation that an official letter had been sent by the EFA authorising a new hearing involving a delegation led by board member Sayed Abdel-Hafiz.

The development had raised questions about the next steps in an ongoing dispute between the two parties.

However, a source within Al Ahly rejected those claims outright, stating that the reports were inaccurate and that no formal response had been issued by the governing body.

“All the talk about receiving an official letter from the Egyptian Football Association approving the listening to the recordings with the same delegation that went before is completely untrue and did not happen at all, and we will continue with the escalation steps in the coming days,” the source told Al-Watan Sport.

The comments signal that tensions between Egypt’s most successful club and the national federation remain unresolved, with Al Ahly preparing to pursue further action.

The dispute centres on Al Ahly’s attempt to access recordings from their recent match against Ceramica.

The club had sought to review the material as part of its internal assessment of the game, prompting a formal visit to the EFA headquarters.

Last Sunday, a delegation representing Al Ahly travelled to the federation’s offices in Cairo.

The group was led by Sayed Abdel-Hafiz, a prominent figure within the club’s leadership structure, and was tasked with obtaining access to the requested recordings.

Despite their presence, the delegation was unable to carry out its objective.

Officials from the Egyptian Football Association declined the request, citing procedural issues.

According to the federation, the individuals present did not possess the required official identification credentials, preventing them from authorising the review.

The refusal added another layer of complexity to an already sensitive matter, with Al Ahly now disputing both the process and subsequent reports surrounding the case.

While speculation had suggested that the situation might be resolved through renewed cooperation between the two sides, the club’s latest statement indicates that no such progress has been made.

Instead, Al Ahly appear set to intensify their response in the coming days.

The use of the term “escalation steps” points to the possibility of formal complaints or further engagement through official channels, although the club has not publicly outlined the exact measures it intends to pursue.

For now, the disagreement remains at an impasse, with conflicting accounts over communication between the club and the federation.

The Egyptian Football Association has yet to issue a public response addressing Al Ahly’s latest remarks or the reports surrounding the alleged letter.

As the situation develops, attention is likely to remain focused on how both parties navigate the dispute, particularly given its implications for transparency and governance within Egyptian football.