Zamalek request Al Ahly VAR audio after derby defeat

Zamalek have formally asked the Egyptian Football Association to release the audio recordings of conversations between the video assistant referee (VAR) officials following their 2-0 defeat by Al Ahly.

The club’s media director, Maher Ghareeb, said the request was submitted on Wednesday and included a reminder of the 48-hour deadline for responding.

“We officially contacted the Football Association to request access to the VAR room conversations and to confirm the 48-hour deadline. We are waiting for the Football Association’s response,” Ghareeb told Al Nahar TV.

“The ball is now in the Football Association’s court. Zamalek have been harmed by refereeing decisions, and the club will not stand by with its arms folded in the face of what happened with the referee.”

Zamalek issued a series of decisions after the league match against Al Ahly, complaining about what they described as serious errors that had worked against them during the derby.

Ghareeb said the club expected an official assessment of the referee’s performance and questioned whether the authorities were reluctant to act because of Al Ahly’s support.

“Zamalek must be given its moral right. Is the Football Association afraid of Al Ahly’s fans?” he said.

“Is it difficult for the Referees Committee to analyse the referee’s performance and announce whether Zamalek were right or not?”

Despite the dispute, Ghareeb ruled out Zamalek withdrawing from the league because of the decisions made during the match.

“We are in disagreement with the Football Association and the Referees Committee, but regardless of the association’s response, the matter will never reach the point of Zamalek withdrawing from the league,” he said.

“But Zamalek must be given its moral right. Is the Football Association afraid of Al Ahly’s fans?”

Ghareeb also referred to an earlier decision by the Referees Committee, saying its analysis had previously supported Al Ahly’s position.

“The Referees Committee did justice to Al Ahly in the first round after analysing the refereeing incidents,” he said.

Zamalek have submitted an official complaint against the Referees Committee, the match director and Al Ahly supporters in connection with the derby.

Al Ahly’s victory, secured by two goals without reply, came in the sixth round of the league. It moved them temporarily to the top of the table on 16 points, while Zamalek suffered their first defeat and remained third on 13 points.

Zamalek will travel to face Rwandan Army on Friday, 16 October, in the first leg of their CAF Champions League round-of-32 tie.