Essam Abdel-Fattah, head of the Egyptian Football Association’s Refereeing Committee, confirmed that referee Mahmoud Wafa will continue to officiate Al Ahly matches normally in the coming period, stressing the need to move beyond last season’s events and open a new page with all clubs. ⚽🔥
Abdel-Fattah’s comments come at a time when Egyptian refereeing remains under significant attention, particularly as debate continues over refereeing performances in the league and criticism increases following controversial decisions.
The head of the Refereeing Committee explained that Mahmoud Wafa will not be excluded from Al Ahly matches and will be selected to officiate the club’s games according to the committee’s vision and at the appropriate time. He stressed that mistakes are part of football and should not become permanent judgments against referees.
Mahmoud Wafa Will Officially Return to Al Ahly Matches
Essam Abdel-Fattah stressed that Mahmoud Wafa will officiate Al Ahly matches again, emphasizing that the committee does not deal with referees based on previous incidents or old disputes.
He explained that the current objective is to start a new page with all clubs, noting that referees, just like players and coaches, can make mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from them and work on improving performance.
The comments reflect the Refereeing Committee’s approach of preventing incidents from last season from continuing to influence current decisions, particularly when referees are selected for different matches.
Refereeing Chief Criticizes Attacks on Officials
Abdel-Fattah also discussed the level of criticism directed at Egyptian referees, arguing that there is a sense of targeting the refereeing system along with what he described as severe attacks from some parties.
He believes that repeatedly returning to incidents from last season makes the referees’ task more difficult, particularly because officials may enter matches under heavy pressure before the game even begins.
He called for a calmer approach toward refereeing because continued pressure could affect the overall atmosphere surrounding the competition. 📢
Egyptian Refereeing Is a Red Line
Abdel-Fattah reaffirmed his support for Egyptian referees, explaining that he is not opposed in principle to using foreign officials for major matches, but the regulations determine the process for appointing them.
He explained that his fundamental position is to support Egyptian referees and give them confidence, particularly because improving refereeing standards requires allowing local officials to continue participating in major matches rather than removing them from important fixtures.
These comments emphasize that the Refereeing Committee considers Egyptian officials an essential part of the domestic football system.
VAR Can Settle Difficult Decisions
The head of the Refereeing Committee also discussed a controversial situation in the league, explaining that some decisions cannot be determined with certainty without using the Video Assistant Referee system.
He pointed out that situations involving whether the ball has crossed the goal line require a clear viewing angle, emphasizing that the assistant referee is in the best position to judge such incidents when VAR technology is unavailable.
This highlights the importance of technology in reducing controversy while also showing that it does not eliminate the role of the referee or assistant referee on the pitch. 🎥
Position of El Mansoura President
Abdel-Fattah also revealed that he received a call from El Mansoura’s president regarding a controversial incident, explaining that determining whether the ball crossed the goal line can be extremely difficult without video technology.
He stressed that the assistant referee’s position along the goal line gives him the best possible view in such situations, particularly when the main referee does not have a clear angle.
He also noted that the players’ lack of protest during the incident can be considered one of the indicators when reviewing the situation, although it is not sufficient by itself to determine whether the decision was correct.
Refereeing Committee Seeks Calm
Essam Abdel-Fattah’s comments indicate that the Refereeing Committee is currently attempting to reduce tensions with clubs and deal with each incident according to its individual circumstances rather than allowing old disputes to accumulate.
The main message appears to be that Egyptian referees should be given the opportunity to work without being burdened by previous controversies, while mistakes should be addressed when proven and performance should continue to improve.
A New Phase for Egyptian Refereeing
As the league continues, refereeing will remain under close scrutiny every round, especially with clubs and supporters relying heavily on VAR to review important decisions.
Refereeing officials hope that the coming period can help rebuild trust between referees and clubs while emphasizing that mutual respect should remain a fundamental principle throughout the competition. 🏆
✨ Mahmoud Wafa will return to officiating Al Ahly matches according to the Refereeing Committee chief, while the committee continues to support Egyptian referees and highlight VAR’s role in resolving difficult decisions, alongside a call to open a new page beyond past controversies.
📢 Do you support Egyptian referees continuing to officiate major matches? Do you believe Mahmoud Wafa deserves to return to Al Ahly fixtures? Share your opinion. ⚽🔥
