The Egyptian Football Federation has excluded Spanish and French referees from officiating the upcoming Premier League match between Al Ahly and Zamalek, according to a source from the referees' committee. The decision comes after incidents involving referees from both countries in high-profile matches. The source cited the recent derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in Spain, which was marred by controversy, and the World Cup match between Egypt and Argentina in 2026, which saw a disputed goal.
The Egyptian Football Federation had received a request from Al Ahly to appoint foreign referees for their upcoming matches, including the one against Zamalek. The federation is yet to announce the referees for the match, but it is understood that they are looking for officials from top European leagues. The match between Al Ahly and Zamalek is scheduled to take place on October 11 at the Cairo International Stadium.
The exclusion of Spanish and French referees is not a surprise, given the recent controversies involving officials from both countries. In the World Cup match between Egypt and Argentina, the French referee, Francois Letexier, was criticized for his decisions, including the disallowed goal for Egypt. Similarly, the Spanish referees have been involved in several high-profile controversies, including the recent derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
The referees' committee is yet to announce the final list of referees for the match, but it is understood that they are considering officials from other European leagues. The committee's chairman, Tarek Abdelfattah, had earlier stated that the federation was open to appointing referees from top European leagues, but would not compromise on the quality of officiating.
The match between Al Ahly and Zamalek is one of the most highly anticipated matches in the Egyptian Premier League, with both teams vying for the top spot. The two teams have a long-standing rivalry, and the match is expected to be closely contested. The appointment of foreign referees is seen as a move to ensure that the match is officiated fairly and without controversy.
The Egyptian Football Federation has been working to improve the standard of officiating in the country, with a focus on appointing experienced and qualified referees. The federation has also been working to address issues of corruption and bias in refereeing, with a number of officials being suspended or banned for misconduct.
The upcoming match between Al Ahly and Zamalek will be a test for the referees' committee, as they look to appoint officials who can handle the pressure and intensity of the match. The committee will be under scrutiny to ensure that the match is officiated fairly and without controversy, and that the best team wins.
Key points
- The Egyptian Football Federation excludes Spanish and French referees from officiating the upcoming Premier League match between Al Ahly and Zamalek due to recent controversies involving referees from both countries.
