The Egyptian Football Association has appointed Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic to officiate the highly anticipated match between Zamalek and Al Ahly on October 11. The match, which is part of the Egyptian Premier League, is expected to generate significant interest and excitement among fans. Obrenovic, who has been a UEFA elite referee since 2017, will be assisted by fellow Slovenian officials Yuri Praprotnik, Grega Kordiz, and David Schmaitz.
Obrenovic has been involved in several high-profile matches and controversies throughout his career. One notable incident occurred in 2025 during a Europa League match between Aston Villa and Feyenoord, where he canceled a goal due to an offside position, only to later admit that it was an error. Feyenoord's manager, Robin van Persie, revealed that Obrenovic apologized for the mistake during halftime.
In another instance, Obrenovic made headlines in 2025 during a Champions League match between Marseille and Sporting Lisbon. He initially awarded a penalty to Marseille but later changed his decision and yellow-carded Marseille's Emerson Palmieri, leading to his ejection from the game. Marseille's manager, Roberto de Zerbi, expressed strong dissatisfaction with Obrenovic's decisions, stating that the referee was not prepared to manage a match of that level.
Obrenovic has also been involved in other controversies, including a 2024 Champions League match between Monaco and Benfica. Monaco's manager, Adi Hutter, was left frustrated with Obrenovic's decisions, particularly his failure to use VAR in certain situations. Furthermore, Obrenovic refused to shake hands with Hutter after the match, sparking criticism from Monaco.
Despite these incidents, Obrenovic has continued to officiate high-profile matches and has been selected for several prestigious tournaments. His most recent international assignment was a UEFA Nations League match between Belgium and France on September 28, 2026.
The appointment of Obrenovic as the referee for the Zamalek vs Al Ahly match has generated significant interest and debate among Egyptian football fans. Zamalek currently sits second in the Egyptian Premier League table with 13 points, just ahead of Al Ahly in third place. The match is expected to be a closely contested and intense encounter.
The full team of officials for the match has been announced, with Obrenovic assisted by Yuri Praprotnik, Grega Kordiz, and David Schmaitz, while Matej Jug will provide VAR support, alongside assistant VAR referee David Gabrovic. The match is set to kick off on October 11 at 20:00 local time.
Key points
- Rade Obrenovic, a Slovenian referee, will officiate the Egyptian Premier League match between Zamalek and Al Ahly on October 11.
- Obrenovic has been involved in several high-profile controversies throughout his career, including incidents in the Europa League and Champions League.
- The match between Zamalek and Al Ahly is expected to be a closely contested encounter, with both teams currently ranking high in the Egyptian Premier League table.
