Egyptian referees begin 2026-27 elite training camp ahead of domestic season

The elite referees’ preparation camp for the 2026-27 season has begun at the National Teams Centre in 6th of October City, with officials briefed on upcoming changes to the Laws of the Game and the standards expected during the new campaign.

The camp follows a meeting between the main refereeing committee, led by Essam Abdel-Fattah, and the referees. The session focused on the committee’s work plan for the coming period, the importance of commitment and the need for continuous development before the start of the domestic season.

Abdel-Fattah underlined the importance of improving Egypt’s refereeing system and raising the overall standard of officiating. He also said he had confidence in all the referees, stressing that the committee included officials with considerable ability and experience.

A series of technical lectures has been held during the camp. They involved the committee’s two vice-presidents, Gamal El-Ghandour and Samir Osman, along with committee members Wajih Ahmed and Mahmoud Ashour.

The sessions are intended to explain the latest developments in the Laws of the Game and improve the referees’ readiness for the new season.

Abdel-Fattah has confirmed that the latest amendments to football’s laws will be applied in domestic competitions next season. FIFA had previously announced changes to the Laws of the Game before the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking to FilGoal.com before the camp began, Abdel-Fattah said: “The referees’ camp for the new season starts tomorrow, Sunday, and we will inform them about the new amendments to the Laws of the Game.”

He added: “In the first lecture, we will explain the new amendments to the articles of the law that we will definitely be able to implement.”

However, he said some changes would require approval from the competitions committee before they could be introduced.

“There are amendments that must be approved by the competitions committee, so we will hold a meeting with them because there are three amendments that must be added to the regulations in order to implement them,” he said.

“One of them, for example, is the referees’ camera, which the competitions committee is supposed to contract for,” Abdel-Fattah added.

“There is also a clause covering a team’s withdrawal or a player leaving the pitch in protest at a referee’s decision, and that must be included in the regulations,” he said.

The full refereeing committee is made up of:

– President: Essam Abdel-Fattah – Vice-president: Gamal El-Ghandour – Vice-president: Samir Osman – Member: Ahmed Wajih – Member: Mahmoud Ashour

The draw for the new season of the Egyptian Premier League is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 5 August.

Zamalek won the Egyptian Premier League title last season, while Pyramids won the Egypt Cup.