Al Ahly suspend player payments after Al Qanah draw

Al Ahly have suspended their players’ financial dues indefinitely after a 3-3 draw with Al Qanah in the Egyptian Premier League, with Wail Gomaa holding a stern meeting with the squad on Thursday.

The team trained at 11:00 BST on Thursday instead of taking the scheduled rest day. Gomaa addressed the players in a meeting attended by the coaching staff after Al Ahly surrendered the lead twice before rescuing a point in stoppage time.

Gomaa criticised several members of the squad, with particular attention directed towards Mohamed Hany, Emam Ashour, Ahmed Zizo, Marwan Attia and Yassin Marei.

The players were also informed that their financial payments had been suspended until further notice. The decision to cancel Thursday’s planned rest had already been taken by the coaching staff after the disappointing result against Al Qanah.

The match, played at Cairo International Stadium in the seventh round of the Egyptian Premier League, produced a six-goal contest in which Al Ahly were twice forced to recover from behind.

Omar El-Saai gave Al Ahly the lead in the 18th minute, but Mahmoud Hany “Shalata” equalised for Al Qanah 14 minutes later. Ashraf bin Sharqi restored Al Ahly’s advantage before half-time.

Al Qanah levelled again through Hazem Abu Sena in the 54th minute before taking the lead for the first time in the 80th minute. Yassin Marei was credited with the goal after putting the ball into his own net.

Al Ahly avoided defeat when defender Achraf Dari headed in an equaliser in the 94th minute. The late goal also rescued Hussein Ammouta, Al Ahly’s Moroccan head coach, after his compatriot secured a point for the team.

The result leaves Al Ahly second in the table with 17 points, four behind leaders Pyramids and one ahead of Zamalek.

Al Qanah are 11th on eight points. They have drawn five of their past six matches.

Al Ahly’s next league fixture is against Modern on Thursday, 29 October. Al Qanah will host Eastern Company ENPPI on Friday, 30 October.