Zamalek file complaint over alleged abuse in televised derby

The Higher Council for Media Regulation has received an official complaint from Zamalek against Walid Farouk, the director of the televised match between Zamalek and Al Ahly.

Al Ahly won the Egyptian Premier League derby 2-0 in the sixth round, with Zamalek objecting to the broadcast of chants made by Al Ahly supporters after the final whistle.

The complaint has been referred to the Complaints Committee, led by council deputy Essam El-Amir, and the Committee for Regulating Sports Media Performance, chaired by Abdel Salam El-Naggar, a deputy president of the State Council and a member of the Higher Council for Media Regulation.

The council, chaired by Khaled Abdel Aziz, said the complaint concerned the match played on Sunday 11 October.

According to its statement, Zamalek claimed that Farouk had deliberately increased the volume of chants containing insults and offensive language directed at the club and its supporters during the live television broadcast.

“Zamalek stated in its complaint that this represented a violation of the values of society and the media code of honour, and requested that legal action be taken against the match director,” the council said.

The complaint will be examined by both committees, which will consider its contents and take any necessary action under the provisions of Law 180 of 2018 regulating press and media activity.

Zamalek had already announced that it would submit a formal complaint against Farouk. The club said the director had intentionally opened the audio feed while Al Ahly fans were making abusive chants against Zamalek and its supporters after the game.

It added that broadcasting the chants so clearly failed to respect public taste and the moral standards expected to be observed.

The defeat was Zamalek’s first of the season and left them third in the table on 13 points. Al Ahly moved temporarily to the top with 16 points.

The result was Al Ahly’s 53rd victory over Zamalek in the Egyptian Premier League, compared with 29 wins for Zamalek and 51 draws.

It was also Al Ahly’s fourth consecutive victory over their rivals in all competitions.

Moataz Gamal has now failed to beat Al Ahly in either of his two matches as Zamalek manager. His side lost 3-0 last season before suffering a 2-0 defeat this season.

Houcine Ammouta, meanwhile, won his first derby as Al Ahly manager.

Zamalek’s next fixture is away to Rwanda’s Army on Friday 16 October in the first leg of the CAF Champions League round of 32.