Al Ahly granted request for foreign referees for Zamalek derby

Al Ahly’s request to have foreign match officials, including the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team, for their Egyptian Premier League meeting with Zamalek on 11 October has been approved.

The decision means the highly anticipated Cairo derby will be officiated by a foreign refereeing team, with the officials most likely to come from Spain.

Al Ahly had formally requested the appointment of foreign referees for the fixture, including the officials responsible for operating VAR, as the club prepares for one of the biggest matches on the Egyptian football calendar.

The Egyptian Football Association has approved the request, paving the way for an overseas team to take charge of the encounter.

The identity of the officials is yet to be formally announced, but Spanish referees are understood to be the leading option for the fixture.

The appointment of foreign officials is expected to attract considerable attention given the intensity and significance of the rivalry between Al Ahly and Zamalek.

The Cairo derby is traditionally one of the most closely watched fixtures in African football, with both clubs boasting large domestic and continental followings.

The use of foreign referees also means that VAR will be operated by an overseas team, ensuring that the key decisions reviewed through the technology are handled by officials from the same refereeing group.

Al Ahly and Zamalek have a long-standing rivalry, and meetings between the two sides regularly carry significant sporting and competitive importance.

With the 11 October fixture approaching, the appointment of the refereeing team will be closely followed, particularly after Al Ahly’s request was specifically extended to include the VAR officials.

Further details on the names of the referees and the final composition of the officiating team are expected to be confirmed ahead of the derby.