Al Ahly coach Jess Thorup slams referee and pitch after frustrating draw against Ceramica Cleopatra

Al Ahly coach Jess Thorup has launched a strong attack on officiating and playing conditions following stalemate against Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Premier League.

The highly competitive clash, held at the Arab Contractors Stadium on Tuesday ended in a 1-1 stalemate. Ceramica Cleopatra opened the scoring in the 40^th-minute mark before the Egyptian giants pulled parity late in the game.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Thorup did not hide his frustration, insisting his side were denied a clear penalty late in the game.

“It’s difficult to be here with the feeling that we lost two points,” said Jess Thorup. “We can start with what happened at the end of the game. There was a penalty that should have been given, but it wasn’t.”

The Danish coach pointed to the incident in detail, arguing that the decision was incorrect even after VAR review.

“I watched the ball in the video… the ball was sent from 20 meters, and the defender’s hand stopped the ball… this is a clear penalty kick. The referee might have an excuse that the ball was close to the defender, but the ball was sent from 20 meters.”

Despite the anger surrounding the decision, Thorup acknowledged the emotional reaction from his players, which led to disciplinary issues after the final whistle.

“We are not supposed to lose our emotional composure and get yellow and red cards after the match, but I understand the players’ frustration.”

He stressed that the sense of injustice on the pitch contributed directly to the team’s reaction.

“We spoke with the players before the match, saying that small details determine the results. When you feel that there is no fairness on the field, there is frustration for the players, and I completely understand that.”

Thorup also highlighted what he saw as a lack of cutting edge from his side, contrasting it with their opponent’s efficiency.

“Ceramica Cleopatra had one shot in 85 minutes, and they scored a goal from it, while we need many opportunities to score a goal.”

Beyond refereeing decisions, the Al Ahly boss turned his attention to the state of the playing surface, questioning how such conditions were allowed in a competition of this magnitude.

“I cannot understand that we are playing in the Egyptian Premier League, with all its size, and in a competition like the championship group, and the pitch is in this condition.”

He concluded with a broader appeal for improvement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining standards for the sake of the competition and its supporters.

“I know I have to focus on my technical duties, but for the sake of the fans and the competition, the pitch shouldn’t be in such a poor condition in a tournament the size of the league.”

With tensions rising and pressure mounting, the fallout from the draw continues to stir debate around refereeing standards and matchday conditions in Egypt’s top flight.