ZED FC to lodge complaint over Mohamed Maarouf refereeing in Al Ahly defeat

ZED FC say they will formally complain to the Egyptian Football Association about referee Mohamed Maarouf’s decisions during their 2-0 Egyptian Premier League defeat by Al Ahly.

The match, played in the second round of the league season, included an appeal for a penalty from ZED FC players after they believed the ball had struck the hand of Al Ahly forward Achraf Bencharki.

Maarouf allowed play to continue, indicating that there had been no deliberate handball by the Al Ahly player.

ZED FC said the disputed decisions had a “significant and direct impact” on the course and outcome of the match. The club added that its complaint had been recorded and sent officially to the Egyptian Football Association through the association’s established channels.

In a statement, ZED FC said: “ZED FC confirms its full respect for the Egyptian football system in all its elements and components, foremost among them the Egyptian refereeing system, for which we have the utmost appreciation. We also reaffirm our complete confidence in Egyptian referees and their ability to manage matches with integrity and professionalism.

“At the same time, and out of the club’s commitment to upholding the values of justice and transparency, we renew our strong objection to a number of influential refereeing decisions during yesterday’s match between ZED FC and Al Ahly. In our view, those decisions had a major and direct effect on the course of the match and its final result.

“This objection comes within the club’s right to express its position on decisions it believes had a substantial impact on the events of the match. It does not, in any way, detract from our full respect for the referees, the Egyptian refereeing system or any other part of the football system.

“ZED FC confirms that all its positions will continue to be guided by sporting values and professionalism, and by respect for all clubs, players, technical staff, referees and every other part of the game.

“At the same time, we maintain our full right to object and demand the highest standards of justice and impartiality, in a way that protects the rights of all clubs and strengthens the credibility of the competition. This is what we have been keen to document and send officially to the Egyptian Football Association, through its official channels, for action on its contents.”

The complaint comes after the Egyptian refereeing committee released a video reviewing a refereeing incident from the opening round of the league.

That video focused on Al Ahly being awarded a penalty in their match against El Sharqia Enppi.

Essam Abdel Fattah has chaired the Egyptian refereeing committee since the start of the current season. He replaced Colombian referee Oscar Ruiz in the role.

Al Ahly’s victory over ZED FC gave them a 2-0 win in the second round, while ZED FC’s concerns now centre on whether the Egyptian Football Association will review the penalty appeal and the other decisions identified by the club.