Omar Artan seeks permission to referee in Egyptian Premier League

Essam Abdel-Fattah, chairman of the refereeing committee, says Somali referee Omar Artan has formally asked to officiate matches in the Egyptian Premier League.

Artan contacted Abdel-Fattah but not to take charge of the match between Al Ahly and Zamalek. Instead, the Somali Football Federation sent an official letter requesting that he be allowed to referee in Egypt.

“He contacted me today, but not to referee the Al Ahly-Zamalek match,” Abdel-Fattah told DMC. “He sent an official letter from the Somali Football Federation asking to referee in the Egyptian league. I have no objection, but we are waiting for the approval of the Egyptian Football Association.”

He added: “If the Football Association approves, we will have him officiating in the Egyptian league as soon as possible.”

The refereeing committee has appointed Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic to oversee the meeting between Zamalek and Al Ahly, which will be played at Cairo Stadium on Sunday, 11 October, in the sixth round of the league.

European referees unavailable

Abdel-Fattah said approaches had been made to the five major European leagues while the committee was searching for an official for the match.

“We contacted the five major leagues, but Germany, England and Italy apologised for being unable to send referees,” he said. “Portugal’s response came late and the available team was not from the elite group. The same applied to Spain.”

“I personally spoke to some referees, but they apologised, particularly because they had UEFA Champions League matches. The derby is being played only two days before those games, so the Slovenian referee was chosen. He is the best referee in his country.”

Abdel-Fattah also said referees faced intense criticism in Spain and other major football nations, rather than only in the Arab world.

“There is a great deal of criticism of refereeing in Spain and other major countries, and the referee is always regarded as the weakest link,” he said. “We, as Arabs, face the same problem, as refereeing is viewed as the weakest link. It is very difficult for it to become a strong element.”

“It is impossible to find foreign referees in the Spanish, French or Italian leagues, whatever the standard of refereeing, even if it is poor.”

Ashour chooses media work

Asked about referee Mahmoud Ashour, Abdel-Fattah said the most accurate description of his departure was that he had apologised.

“He wanted to work in the media from the beginning and agreed to join us after discussions,” he said. “I gave him time to think, then he made his decision, and we respect it.”

The committee had also considered appointing specialists to address referees’ psychological needs. Individual sessions have begun, while some referees had been receiving treatment from psychologists because of frustration. Abdel-Fattah said the committee was working to provide specialists in the field in future.

Zamalek are second in the Egyptian league with 13 points, while Al Ahly are third on the same total, behind on goal difference.