⚽ Raef Discusses Ismaily’s Refereeing Dispute
Mohamed Raef, head of Ismaily’s interim committee, revealed details of the club’s efforts to challenge refereeing decisions during last season, stating that Ismaily believed several decisions had affected the team’s results and position in the competition.
Raef explained that the club submitted complaints and contacted the relevant authorities, but according to his account, those efforts did not result in an official response during the period in question.
📢 “We Received No Official Response”
Speaking to presenter Hany Hatoat on Modern Sport, Mohamed Raef said: “We did not receive any official response at all. All the analysts were certain that there was clear injustice, with goals not awarded and penalties not given, and all of this caused Ismaily to fall behind by perhaps four or five matches in the end.”
The interim committee chairman claimed that several controversial refereeing incidents occurred during the final matches, which, in his view, affected the team’s results and position at the end of the season.
🟨 Limited Options During the Crisis
Raef also discussed the circumstances surrounding Ismaily during that period, explaining that the club did not have many immediate options for changing the situation.
He said: “During that period, I could not have radical solutions. All I could do was keep the team going so they could complete the competition and raise the players’ morale so they could continue the league, hoping that a miracle might happen or that the competition format could change and we could remain.”
His remarks reflect the pressure surrounding Ismaily at that stage, particularly the need to maintain the players’ focus and continue competing despite the difficult circumstances.
🏟️ Attempts to Cancel Relegation
The Ismaily interim committee chairman also revealed that the club made several attempts to avoid relegation, saying that the administration contacted various parties in search of possible solutions.
“We tried many times and contacted every possible authority, but ultimately, the Egyptian Football Association and the Clubs Association are the ones managing the competition,” Raef said.
According to his comments, decisions concerning the competition format and relegation remained in the hands of the bodies responsible for running the league.
🔍 Was There Hope for a Format Change?
Asked about the possibility of changing the competition format, Raef referred to discussions and indications that gave the club some hope, while stressing that he did not want to describe them as firm promises.
“There were talks and some hints. I do not want to call them definite promises, but there were indications and a glimmer of hope that we were discussing based on,” he said.
Raef’s comments suggest that Ismaily continued monitoring any developments concerning the competition structure while pursuing administrative avenues to find a solution for the club.
🔥 Ismaily Reopens Last Season’s File
Mohamed Raef’s remarks bring renewed attention to one of the key issues surrounding Ismaily’s campaign last season, particularly the club’s complaints over refereeing decisions and its attempts to find solutions to the relegation crisis.
According to the interim committee chairman’s account, the club continued seeking clear responses to its complaints while also making administrative efforts aimed at changing the team’s fate or securing a path to remain in the competition.
