Ismaily SC threatens Egyptian Premier League boycott over poor officiating

Ismaily SC have threatened to withdraw from the Egyptian Premier League, citing what they describe as persistent and “deliberate” refereeing injustices.

As per statement sighted by Africasoccer.com, the club has lodged a formal protest against a series of controversial decisions that have, in their view, severely impacted results in recent matches. The club insists the pattern of officiating errors is no longer coincidental but systematic—an allegation that has sent shockwaves across Egyptian football.

The grievances have been formally directed to the Egyptian Football Association, the Clubs Association, and the Referees Committee. Ismaily outlined a list of demands aimed at addressing what they see as a breakdown in fair officiating, warning that failure to act could trigger drastic consequences.

“The repeated errors have been acknowledged by analysts and critics alike,” the club noted, emphasizing that these decisions have directly contributed to their poor standing in the league table.

Among the options now on the table is a complete withdrawal from the competition—an unprecedented move the club says would be taken to “protect its rights and those of its supporters.”

Tensions reached boiling point during their latest outing, as Ismaily were held to a 1-1 draw by Ismaily Electricity at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium. The match was overshadowed by controversy after two Ismaily goals were ruled out following VAR reviews in the first half, sparking fury on the bench.

Head coach Khaled Galal did little to hide his frustration, openly criticizing the officiating and admitting that similar decisions in previous matches have cost his team valuable points. His visible anger during the game underscored the growing sense of injustice within the squad.

The situation is made even more dire by Ismaily’s position at the foot of the relegation group standings, where they sit with just 14 points—five adrift of safety. With survival hanging by a thread, every decision carries enormous weight, amplifying the club’s grievances.

As pressure mounts on Egyptian football authorities to respond, the threat of Ismaily’s withdrawal looms large. Should the club follow through, it would not only shake the integrity of the competition but also intensify scrutiny on refereeing standards in one of Africa’s most historic leagues.