Al Ahly has once again demanded the postponement of their highly anticipated Cairo derby against Zamalek, insisting that the match should not be officiated by local referees.
The club has formally requested that foreign match officials be appointed for the fixture, which was scheduled to take place this evening as part of the first round of the Egyptian Premier League play-offs.
Club management rejects domestic referees
Egypt’s football authorities had assigned a team of Egyptian referees to officiate the derby, with Mahmoud Bassiouni appointed as the match referee.
He was set to be assisted by Ahmad Taoufik Talab and Sami Halhal, while Ahmed Ghandour was designated as the VAR official.
However, Al Ahly’s management has rejected the decision, maintaining that a match of such magnitude should be overseen by neutral, foreign referees to ensure fairness and avoid any potential controversy.
The club has long advocated for international referees in crucial league fixtures, particularly against their historic rivals Zamalek.
Tensions over officiating in Egyptian football
The demand for foreign referees is not new in Egyptian football.
Al Ahly and Zamalek have previously pushed for non-Egyptian officials in key encounters, arguing that international referees reduce the likelihood of bias or officiating errors.
However, due to logistical challenges and financial considerations, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has frequently opted for local referees, despite opposition from clubs.
The ongoing dispute highlights a broader issue regarding refereeing standards in Egyptian football.
Clubs, particularly those at the top of the table, have often expressed concerns about decision-making in high-stakes matches.
What next for the Cairo derby?
With Al Ahly refusing to play under the current conditions, it remains unclear whether the derby will proceed as planned or face postponement.
The EFA now faces pressure to resolve the impasse, either by agreeing to Al Ahly’s request or standing firm on their decision to appoint local referees.
Meanwhile, the referee originally assigned to VAR duties, Ahmed Ghandour, is scheduled to officiate a Tunisian Ligue 1 match tomorrow between JS Omrane and Espérance de Tunis, further complicating matters.
The coming hours will be crucial in determining whether one of Africa’s most iconic club rivalries will unfold as scheduled or be put on hold amid the controversy.
