Al Ahly deny Houcine Ammouta investigation after Ali Mahmoud substitution

Al Ahly have denied that head coach Houcine Ammouta has been referred for an internal investigation following his reaction to Ali Mahmoud during the team’s 1-1 draw with Al Mokawloon Al Arab in the Egyptian Premier League.

A club source told FilGoal.com there was no truth to reports that Ammouta would face disciplinary action over the incident involving the Al Ahly midfielder as he was substituted during the match.

“There is no truth to Houcine Ammouta being referred for an investigation because of his reaction to Ali Mahmoud,” the source said.

The source also rejected reports that Al Ahly’s players were unhappy with the Moroccan manager’s treatment of them since he took charge of the club.

“What is being circulated about the players’ dissatisfaction with Houcine Ammouta’s treatment since he arrived at Al Ahly has no basis in fact,” the source added.

Ammouta appeared to react angrily to Mahmoud after the player was taken off during Al Ahly’s meeting with Al Mokawloon Al Arab. The episode led to speculation that the manager could be asked to explain his conduct, but the club has dismissed those reports.

The draw at Al Mokawloon Al Arab Stadium was Al Ahly’s first setback of the league campaign. The champions took one point from the match to move on to 10 points, leaving them level with Zamalek.

Al Mokawloon Al Arab moved to four points and are 13th in the table.

The result also allowed Pyramids FC to move clear at the top of the Egyptian Premier League. They now have 12 points and are the only side leading the competition.

Al Ahly had been hoping to maintain their winning start, but were held to a point in a match that ended with both sides scoring once. Despite dropping points for the first time this season, they remain level with Zamalek on 10 points.

The club’s clarification focused specifically on the reports concerning Ammouta and Mahmoud, as well as the wider claims about the manager’s relationship with the squad. Al Ahly said neither the reported investigation nor the suggestion of dressing-room dissatisfaction was accurate.

The match took place in the fourth round of the Egyptian Premier League at Al Mokawloon Al Arab Stadium. After the result, Pyramids FC occupy first place on their own, while Al Ahly and Zamalek share 10 points and Al Mokawloon Al Arab sit 13th with four.