Essam Abdel-Fattah, chairman of the refereeing committee, revealed the details behind the selection of the foreign officiating crew for the Ahly-Zamalek derby.
He explained that the committee contacted several European associations before eventually choosing Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic, with the search influenced by the availability and commitments of several top-level referees.
European Countries Declined to Send Elite Referees
Abdel-Fattah said Germany, Italy and England declined requests to send elite referees for the Ahly-Zamalek match.
Spain and Portugal, meanwhile, agreed to provide referees, although the available officials from those countries were not considered part of the elite category the committee was seeking.
The committee therefore continued its search for a referee with sufficient international experience to handle one of the most sensitive matches in Egyptian football.
Why World Cup Referees Were Unavailable
Abdel-Fattah revealed that the committee also contacted several referees who had previously officiated at the World Cup.
However, those officials declined because they were scheduled to referee UEFA Champions League matches just 24 hours after the Ahly-Zamalek derby.
Their European commitments made it impossible for them to travel to Egypt and take charge of the match.
How Much Did the Refereeing Crew Cost?
The head of the refereeing committee revealed that the total financial compensation for the Slovenian officiating crew led by Rade Obrenovic was approximately $18,000 to $20,000.
The figure covered the financial compensation for the entire crew, while travel tickets, accommodation and other expenses were calculated separately.
The cost reflects the financial requirements associated with bringing an experienced international refereeing crew to oversee a major derby.
Why Was Rade Obrenovic Chosen?
Abdel-Fattah stressed that Rade Obrenovic was not selected simply because other options were unavailable.
He described the Slovenian official as an elite referee with significant international experience.
The committee, he said, made every effort to select a referee capable of handling the pressure and importance of the Ahly-Zamalek derby while considering the official’s experience and the circumstances surrounding the match.
Why Was a French Referee Ruled Out?
Abdel-Fattah also explained why the committee decided against appointing a French referee.
He linked the decision to the refereeing performance during Egypt’s match against Argentina, which he believed involved unfair decisions against the Egyptian national team.
That incident had generated significant frustration among Egyptian fans, and Abdel-Fattah argued that appointing a French referee for the derby under those circumstances would not have been well received.
He stressed that referee selection should take into account the circumstances and atmosphere surrounding each match.
Abdel-Fattah Responds to Criticism of Obrenovic
The refereeing committee chairman also responded to criticism directed at Rade Obrenovic following the derby.
He argued that Slovenia is currently one of the leading countries in football refereeing and noted that Slovenian referees have previously officiated World Cup finals.
Abdel-Fattah maintained that refereeing performances should be evaluated through technical knowledge of the laws of the game and the details of individual decisions rather than through general reactions to isolated incidents.
Obrenovic’s Yellow Card Average
Abdel-Fattah said Obrenovic averages around four yellow cards per match.
He described that figure as normal from a refereeing perspective and said it does not, by itself, indicate unusually strict officiating.
He also argued that some of the criticism directed at the Slovenian referee came from people without sufficient knowledge of the technical aspects of refereeing.
The Story Behind the Derby Referee Selection
The comments from Essam Abdel-Fattah show that the selection process for the Ahly-Zamalek derby involved several stages.
The committee contacted European associations and referees with major international experience before settling on the Slovenian crew.
The final decision was influenced by the refusal of several European countries, the Champions League commitments of other referees and the need to consider the broader atmosphere surrounding the match.
Rade Obrenovic ultimately took charge of the derby, with Abdel-Fattah emphasizing his international experience and the standing of Slovenian refereeing.
Why was Rade Obrenovic selected for the Ahly-Zamalek derby?
He was selected because the refereeing committee considered him an elite referee with extensive international experience.
Which countries declined to send elite referees?
According to Abdel-Fattah, Germany, Italy and England declined to send elite referees for the derby.
How much did the refereeing crew cost?
The Slovenian crew’s compensation was approximately $18,000 to $20,000, excluding travel, accommodation and other expenses.
Why was a French referee not selected?
Abdel-Fattah linked the decision to the controversy surrounding French refereeing during Egypt’s match against Argentina and the resulting public reaction.
How many yellow cards does Obrenovic usually show?
Abdel-Fattah said the referee averages around four yellow cards per match, which he described as a normal refereeing rate.
