Al Ahly to request foreign referees for Zamalek and Pyramids clashes

Al Ahly are set to ask the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to appoint foreign refereeing teams for their two major Egyptian Premier League fixtures against Zamalek and Pyramids this season.

The Egyptian giants are expected to submit requests for foreign officials ahead of the highly anticipated league meetings, which are scheduled to take place in October and November.

The move would see Al Ahly once again seek referees from outside Egypt for some of the most high-profile matches on their domestic calendar.

Al Ahly have previously requested foreign referees for important league fixtures, particularly matches where the pressure and scrutiny surrounding officiating are expected to be high.

Their decision comes amid the intense rivalry that surrounds both fixtures. Matches against Zamalek, in particular, are among the most fiercely contested encounters in Egyptian football, while the emergence of Pyramids as a major force has added another significant fixture to Al Ahly’s domestic schedule.

The club’s preference for foreign officials is also likely to attract considerable attention given the history of refereeing controversies in the Egyptian Premier League.

Al Ahly previously secured approval for foreign referees for their league meeting with Pyramids in April 2025, after formally asking the EFA to arrange an overseas officiating team, with the club agreeing to cover the associated costs.

The Cairo giants also took a strong position over refereeing arrangements for their derby with Zamalek in March 2025, highlighting the level of tension that can surround officiating decisions in major Egyptian fixtures.

For the upcoming campaign, Al Ahly are therefore expected to repeat that approach for their meetings with Zamalek and Pyramids.

The requests will ultimately depend on the EFA’s approval and the arrangements that can be made with foreign refereeing associations.

With both matches carrying significant implications for the title race and local bragging rights, Al Ahly will be hoping that the presence of foreign officials can provide an additional level of confidence and reduce the likelihood of refereeing disputes overshadowing the football.

The club’s stance underlines the importance it places on officiating in its biggest domestic matches and sets the stage for two of the most closely watched fixtures of the Egyptian Premier League season.