The highly anticipated football derby between Egyptian clubs Al-Ahly and Zamalek, originally scheduled for Tuesday night at Cairo International Stadium, was abruptly canceled. The cancellation occurred after Al-Ahly refrained from attending the match in protest against the decision to assign a local officiating crew to manage the game, a move that sparked intense controversy.
Zamalek made their way to the stadium in preparation for the clash, while Al-Ahly opted not to show up, leading referee Mahmoud Basyouni to call off the match after waiting for 15 minutes past the official starting time, in accordance with the regulations set by the Egyptian Premier League for this season.
The match was a key fixture in the opening round of the second phase of the Egyptian Premier League. Tensions had been brewing leading up to the game, as Al-Ahly issued an official statement expressing their displeasure with the officiating arrangement. The situation escalated when the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) appointed referee Mahmoud Basyouni and a completely local team to oversee the derby, inciting significant outrage from Al-Ahly officials.
In response to this decision, Al-Ahly convened an emergency meeting earlier that day, during which they declared that they would not participate in the derby unless foreign referees were brought in. The club even threatened to withdraw from the league entirely over their discontent with the officiating choices.
Despite the unfolding drama, Zamalek’s team bus arrived at Cairo’s stadium, and the club announced their starting lineup for the match. Meanwhile, Al-Ahly’s bus proceeded to their club branch in Nasr City for warm-up exercises instead of moving to the stadium.
Zamalek issued a formal statement insisting on the match occurring as scheduled with the designated refereeing team. As the clock struck 9:30 PM local time, Zamalek appeared on the field alongside the officiating crew, while Al-Ahly’s absence prompted referee Basyouni to wait before ultimately announcing the cancellation of the match.
According to league regulations, Al-Ahly is now expected to be considered the losing side with a default scoreline of 3-0 in favor of Zamalek. In addition, the club will face a three-point deduction from their current tally in the Egyptian Premier League standings for failing to show up for the match.
The decision and its aftermath reflect a significant rift and ongoing tensions within Egyptian football, particularly around issues of officiating and governance within the sport. Al-Ahly’s protest underscores the growing demands from clubs for professional standards in refereeing, especially during critical matches like the derby, which is one of the most celebrated rivalries in African football.
These events have sparked discussions among fans and analysts regarding the need for reform within the Egyptian Football Association to address issues of credibility and impartiality in officiating. The fallout from this canceled derby is likely to resonate throughout the league, affecting not only the two clubs involved but also setting a precedent for how officiating disputes are handled moving forward.
As the situation develops, both clubs will undoubtedly face scrutiny from their supporters and the media, with Al-Ahly’s potent stance signaling a potential shift in how clubs may react to perceived injustices in the future. Overall, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the passionate nature of Egyptian football and the challenges that lie ahead in ensuring the integrity and fairness of the sport.
