The Egyptian football scene is witnessing intense anticipation awaiting the Appeals Committee’s decision at the Football Association regarding Al Ahly’s failure to play the El Clasico match against Zamalek, part of the first round of the final stage of the Nile League 2024-2025 season. This issue has sparked widespread controversy since last March when Al Ahly did not attend the scheduled match during Ramadan due to their refusal to play under a local refereeing team. The details remain unresolved to this day.
An informed source within the Football Association revealed that the Appeals Committee is thoroughly examining the case, noting that the committee is listening to all concerned parties, including officials from the Clubs Association, the Competitions Committee, and Al Ahly club, while reviewing the relevant regulations and organizational texts. The source confirmed that no final decision has yet been issued and that the committee is handling the file with great care, free from any pressure or bias.

Sources clarified that the Appeals Committee is leaning towards upholding the latest decision by the Clubs Association, which declares Zamalek the winner with a 3-0 administrative score, without activating the clause to deduct 3 points from Al Ahly’s season total. This approach follows widespread debate after the initial Competitions Committee decision considered Al Ahly the loser and imposed an additional 3-point deduction, before the Clubs Association retracted the point deduction and only regarded them as defeated, based on Article 17, Clause 4 of the competition regulations. This clause states that a team that withdraws is considered to have lost 3-0 without point deductions unless there is repeated withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Zamalek’s management demands that the same penalty imposed on them last season be applied, when they missed the El Clasico match and were considered defeated with a 3-point deduction. They view this precedent as necessary to maintain justice and equality among teams.

On the other hand, Pyramids Club has taken a clear stance, announcing readiness to escalate legally if the regulations are not applied fairly. They have threatened to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if points are not deducted from Al Ahly as happened with Zamalek previously.

The Appeals Committee faces significant pressure from various parties, especially as its decision will be decisive for the league title race this season, as well as having a major impact on the perception of fairness within the Egyptian football system. Despite these pressures, the committee confirms its commitment to making the decision based solely on laws and regulations, without yielding to external influences, popular demands, or media calculations, ensuring that justice is the foundation in this sensitive case.

The anticipated decision is expected to be announced within hours, amid wide anticipation from fans and the sports community.