Assistant sporting director of Pyramids FC, Moatasem Salem, has accused the Egyptian Football Association of “hindering” their chances of beating Mamelodi Sundowns in the two-legged CAF Champions League final.
The Sky Blues, who are competing for the Egyptian title, are also gearing up for their highly anticipated first leg of the Champions League final against the South African giants.
The first leg is scheduled for this coming Saturday at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium, with the return leg taking place on June 1 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
However, Pyramids will face Ceramica Cleopatra in the Egyptian Premier League playoffs on Wednesday, May 28, just four days after their first leg and three days before the second leg against Downs.
It’s understood that the high-flying Egyptian outfit has requested the game against Cleopatra to be moved to another date in order for them to focus on continental football, but it appears the EFA is not interested in their matters.
“How do we deal with an association board that does not give equal consideration to clubs, does not support us, and is even hindering us from fulfilling our national mission as representatives of Egyptian football in the Champions League final,” Salem said per Elwatannews.
“What does Egyptian football have to do with Pyramids Club being fought in this way and being deprived of its right to postpone the match until it finishes the two CAF Champions League final matches, in order to help its competitor register one of its players on its roster?
“Why does Pyramids insist on playing the match against Ceramica on May 28th, despite its local and continental commitments, when its competitor can finish its matches on time without any commitments to Pyramids, in order to prepare for its mission in the Club World Cup?”
