Zamalek weigh decisions after Al Ahly derby defeat as club pursues refereeing complaint

Zamalek’s board is holding consultations over a series of decisions following the club’s 2-0 defeat by Al Ahly in the Egyptian Premier League derby.

A source at Zamalek told FilGoal.com that discussions had continued among board members after the club submitted an official complaint against the referees’ committee over what it considers officiating errors during the match.

Zamalek also filed complaints against the match director and Al Ahly supporters following the fixture, which was played in the sixth round of the league.

“The past few hours have seen continuous consultations between members of the Zamalek board to discuss the steps that should be taken after the club’s complaint against the referees’ committee because of the refereeing errors,” the source said.

The source added that the club was still assessing the situation and was expected to announce a number of decisions on Tuesday concerning the events of the derby.

“Zamalek’s management is currently studying the situation, and a group of decisions related to the events of the derby is expected to be announced today, Tuesday, to protect the club’s rights and the rights of its supporters,” the source said.

The source said Zamalek officials believed their team had been subjected to unfair refereeing during the match, particularly after television comments by Issam Abdel-Fattah, the head of the referees’ committee.

Abdel-Fattah said Chico Banza should have been awarded a penalty, especially if the match referee had been Egyptian.

The victory was Al Ahly’s 53rd against Zamalek in the Egyptian league. Zamalek have won 29 of the league meetings, while the two sides have drawn 51 times.

It was also Al Ahly’s fourth successive victory over Zamalek in derbies across all competitions.

Zamalek manager Moataz Gamal has not beaten Al Ahly in either of his two matches in charge against them. His side lost 3-0 last season before suffering a 2-0 defeat in the current campaign.

Al Ahly’s victory gave Houcine Ammouta a winning start in his first derby against Zamalek.

The result moved Al Ahly temporarily to the top of the table on 16 points, while Zamalek suffered their first defeat of the season and remained third on 13 points.

Zamalek’s next fixture is away to Rwandan Army on Friday, 16 October, in the first leg of the round of 32 in the CAF Champions League.