The Maker seek police protection after Manshaet El Bakary match is called off

The Maker, the fourth-division club owned by Ahmed Hossam “Mido”, have asked for police protection after their match against Manshaet El Bakary was abandoned because no ambulance was present at the scheduled kick-off time. The club also said its players and technical and administrative staff were subjected to attempted attacks and threats.

The fixture was due to take place at 16:00 at Manshaet El Bakary’s ground. However, The Maker said its coaching and administrative staff found that an ambulance had not arrived, describing its absence as a breach of the basic safety requirements set by the Egyptian Football Association and FIFA.

The club said it waited for 20 minutes, in line with the period stipulated in the Egyptian Football Association competitions committee’s regulations. The match observer and refereeing team were informed that the permitted waiting time had expired before The Maker decided the game could not go ahead.

According to the club, the ambulance eventually arrived at 16:22, after the scheduled start time and beyond the regulatory deadline.

The Maker said the match observer attempted to disregard the regulations despite the club’s objection. It added that the ambulance’s arrival was recorded in audio and video, while the players and coaching staff were put under pressure to begin the match after the legal waiting period had ended.

The club said it refused to do so.

The Maker also stated that it had been informed before the fixture that the opposing team had been punished because its supporters, match observer and referee had not attended a previous match. It said the club had not been instructed to clear the ground, and described that as a clear violation of the competitions committee’s instructions.

The club further alleged that some people at the stadium, including opposing players and members of the rival club’s board, attempted to assault and threaten its players and members of its technical and administrative staff.

Those incidents prompted The Maker to contact the police and request protection, the club said. It added that a formal police report had been filed in preparation for the necessary legal action to protect its players and staff and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Maker said it would submit an official complaint to the Egyptian Football Association, accompanied by the police reports and video footage that it claims documents the incidents and alleged assaults.

It also plans to take legal action against Manshaet El Bakary and those responsible for the club’s social media accounts over what it described as verbal violations and accusations directed at Mido, as well as everyone who supported The Maker’s position during the match.

The club ended its statement by saying it had full confidence in the Egyptian Football Association’s administration to investigate the incident and take appropriate action against those responsible, while ensuring that the regulations are applied and sporting values upheld.