Pyramids question Ivan Barton appointment for crucial Al Ahly clash

Pyramids assistant coach Moatasem Salem has criticised the appointment of Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton for the Egyptian Premier League meeting with Al Ahly.

League leaders Pyramids will face second-placed Al Ahly in a major contest after the conclusion of the international break.

“I do not believe the appointment of the Salvadoran Ivan Barton was a successful choice by the referees’ committee, because the match is extremely important,” Salem told On Sport Radio.

Salem said Pyramids had contacted the Egyptian Football Association around a month and a half ago to express their preference for a referee from the highest level of the game.

“Pyramids sent a letter to the Football Association around a month and a half ago, explaining that we wanted the referee to be one of the best in the world, from the five major leagues,” he said.

“We made it clear to the Football Association that, if a top-level referee was not appointed, we wanted an Egyptian referee to take charge of the match.”

Salem also referred to the debate surrounding the performance of the foreign referee in the recent Al Ahly and Zamalek match.

“When the controversy arose over the foreign referee’s performance in the last Al Ahly and Zamalek game, Essam Abdel-Fattah, the head of the referees’ committee, said his committee had no authority over the foreign referee,” he added.

Salem said refereeing errors were less common among officials operating at the highest level.

“Pyramids have not requested foreign referees for around two years because we trust Egyptian referees,” he said.

The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that Barton will officiate the match between Al Ahly and Pyramids.

The Salvadoran has previously taken charge of matches at three editions of the World Cup, in 2018, 2022 and 2026. He also refereed the 2026 World Cup semi-final between France and Spain.

Al Ahly and Pyramids will meet in the ninth round of the Egyptian Premier League on 23 November at Cairo Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00, with the match to be broadcast on ON Sport.

Pyramids lead the table with 24 points, while Al Ahly are second on 20 points.