The opening round of the Egyptian Premier League featured several refereeing decisions that sparked significant debate among supporters, particularly during Al Ahly and Zamalek matches. Former international referee Mohamed Adel has now provided his assessment of some of the most discussed incidents. ⚽
Adel emphasized that the overall refereeing level during the opening round was good, apart from a few minor incidents, while strongly rejecting excessive criticism or attacks against the refereeing committee at the beginning of the new season.
🔥 Mohamed Adel Rejects Attacks on Referees
Speaking on Khaled El Ghandour’s “Stad El Mehwar” program, Mohamed Adel said the opening round featured a generally good refereeing performance and stressed that referees should be evaluated objectively based on individual decisions rather than supporters’ affiliations.
The former international referee explained that minor refereeing mistakes can happen in football, but the most important issue is establishing clear and consistent standards for all teams and matches.
He also called for greater support for the refereeing committee rather than constant criticism, particularly at the beginning of a new season that requires stability and clarity in the interpretation of different incidents. ⭐
🏆 Zamalek Did Not Deserve a Penalty Against Al Ittihad
Mohamed Adel discussed one of the most controversial incidents from Zamalek’s match against Al Ittihad Alexandria, stating that the White Castle did not deserve a penalty in the incident in question.
He explained that the handball by Hossam Hassan was legal and unintentional, meaning it should not have resulted in a penalty for Zamalek.
The incident generated significant debate following the match, particularly because penalty decisions often attract considerable attention from both sets of supporters.
Adel believes that handball decisions should be assessed according to the details of each incident, the player’s movement and whether there was intent, rather than simply because the ball made contact with the player’s hand. ⚽
📢 Enppi Deserved a Penalty Against Al Ahly
On the other side, Mohamed Adel stated that Eastern Company Enppi should have been awarded a penalty during its match against Al Ahly.
He explained that an Enppi player was brought down by Karim Fouad, an incident that, in his view, should have resulted in a penalty.
The decision was among several incidents discussed after the match, which Al Ahly eventually won 3-2 after a dramatic contest that saw the score change several times before the final whistle.
🔴 Ben Sharqi Deserved a Penalty
Mohamed Adel also discussed another incident from the Al Ahly-Enppi match, stating that Al Ahly forward Achraf Bencharki should have been awarded a penalty.
The former international referee explained that the incident should have resulted in a penalty for the Al Ahly player, along with a yellow card for the Enppi player.
The incident highlights the importance of applying consistent standards to challenges inside the penalty area, particularly in situations involving physical contact and attempts to play the ball.
🟥 Marwan Attia Should Have Been Sent Off
One of Mohamed Adel’s most notable comments concerned Al Ahly midfielder Marwan Attia during the match against Eastern Company Enppi.
Adel stated that the Al Ahly player should have received a red card rather than a yellow card following an incident in which he held the referee’s hand.
The former international referee believes such incidents must be handled clearly, particularly when they involve direct contact with the match official, as protecting the referee’s authority and applying the laws of the game are essential to maintaining control of matches.
⭐ Consistent Standards Matter More Than Shirt Colors
Mohamed Adel stressed the importance of applying the same refereeing standards in every match, regardless of the club involved or the color of its shirt.
He believes the success of Egyptian refereeing during the new season depends on consistent decision-making, ensuring that all teams and supporters feel that decisions are based on the laws of the game rather than affiliations or external pressure.
This becomes particularly important during strong competition between the major clubs, especially Al Ahly and Zamalek, as refereeing decisions often become a major topic of discussion after their matches.
🏆 A New Season and New Refereeing Challenges
As the Egyptian Premier League continues, refereeing will remain under close scrutiny from supporters and the media, particularly regarding penalties, red cards and handball decisions.
The refereeing committee will need to maintain a consistent standard throughout the season while continuing to develop referees and make effective use of VAR to minimize major errors.
Ultimately, Mohamed Adel believes the opening round did not represent a major refereeing crisis, although several incidents deserve technical discussion away from excessive partisanship. The main objective, he stressed, should be fair refereeing and consistent application of the laws.
Do you agree with Mohamed Adel that Zamalek did not deserve a penalty against Al Ittihad? What do you think about the incidents involving Enppi, Achraf Bencharki and Marwan Attia? Share your opinion on the refereeing decisions from the opening round. ⚽🔥
