Zamalek report match director to Egypt’s media regulator over alleged offensive chants

Zamalek have submitted an official complaint to the Supreme Council for Media Regulation against Walid Farouk, the director of their Egyptian Premier League derby against Al Ahly.

The complaint concerns chants directed at Zamalek and their supporters by sections of the Al Ahly crowd after the match, which Zamalek say were broadcast clearly by the television channel showing the game.

Zamalek claim the director deliberately raised the audio during the chants, allowing them to be heard in full. The club said broadcasting the material so prominently failed to respect public taste and the standards of conduct expected in such circumstances.

Al Ahly won the derby 2-0 in the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League, extending their advantage in the head-to-head league record. The victory was their 53rd against Zamalek in the competition, while Zamalek have won 29 meetings and the teams have drawn 51 times.

It was also Al Ahly’s fourth consecutive victory over Zamalek in all competitions.

The result was a second successive defeat against Al Ahly for Zamalek manager Moataz Gamal. His side lost 3-0 in last season’s meeting and were beaten 2-0 this season.

For Hussein Ammouta, the match represented a successful first derby test as Al Ahly manager, with his team taking all three points.

Al Ahly’s win moved them temporarily to the top of the Egyptian Premier League with 16 points. Zamalek suffered their first defeat of the campaign but remain third on 13 points.

Zamalek’s next fixture will take them to Rwanda, where they are due to face the Rwandan Army on Friday, 16 October, in the first leg of the round of 32 in the CAF Champions League.