Zamalek files complaint after defeat to Al Ahly

Zamalek has announced that it filed an official complaint with the Egyptian Football Federation against the main referees’ committee after losing 2-0 to Al Ahly. The club described the officiating in the national championship match as an “injustice”, saying the result had wasted the efforts of its players and technical staff.

The sixth-round match was refereed by Slovenia’s Rade Obrenović. Zamalek players appealed for two penalties in the second half, but neither was awarded, and there was no review by video assistant refereeing. In its statement, the club said several refereeing experts had confirmed that both penalties should have been given and that more than one incident had gone without a video review.

Zamalek also criticised the choice of officials, describing the team as unknown and not suited to the importance of the fixture. The club said “a series of deliberate and blatant decisions against Zamalek” had affected both the course and the result of the match.

The club holds the main referees’ committee responsible for the defeat. It accused the committee of a lack of fairness and of deliberately favouring one side over Zamalek, after being subjected to a campaign before the championship began.