The president of Ismaily SC has warned the club could withdraw from the Egyptian Premier League, escalating tensions after controversial refereeing decisions in recent matches.
Mohamed Raouf made the remarks following his side’s 1-1 draw against Ismaily Electricity on Tuesday, a result that has intensified frustration within the club over what he described as repeated officiating errors.
Speaking on radio, Raouf criticised the standard of refereeing in recent fixtures, suggesting his team had been unfairly treated during a critical phase of the season.
“Ismaily has been performing differently in the last four matches, and we have been unlucky. There is an unfair and abnormal refereeing approach against us in the recent matches.”
Disallowed goals and mounting frustration
The draw against Ismaily Electricity appears to have been a flashpoint in the ongoing dispute. Raouf claimed that key decisions in the match, including the disallowing of two goals, had significantly impacted the outcome.
“It’s as if everyone is conspiring to bring down Ismaily. This was evident in the cancellation of two legitimate goals yesterday, and also in every match.”
His comments reflect growing dissatisfaction at the club, which currently finds itself under pressure in the relegation group standings. Ismaily occupy 14th place with 14 points, leaving little margin for further setbacks.
Demand for VAR transparency
Central to the club’s complaint is a call for greater transparency in officiating, particularly concerning the use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology.
Raouf confirmed that formal complaints had been submitted to both the league authorities and the national governing body, accompanied by supporting evidence.
“We submitted several complaints to the League of Clubs and the Football Association, accompanied by all the documents, and we requested to hear what was happening between the referee and the video referee during the Ismailia Electricity match.”
The request to access communication between the match referee and VAR officials marks a significant escalation, underlining the club’s determination to challenge decisions it believes were unjust.
Wider concerns and potential consequences
Beyond the immediate controversy, Raouf also referenced broader discussions around investment and structural changes in Egyptian football, although he indicated that such talks remain at an exploratory stage.
“The dialogue regarding the merger or partnership is still open, and we welcome any investor, but no dialogue has taken place between the parties. The matter is merely a probing by some officials.”
However, the primary focus of his remarks remained on the club’s grievances with officiating and the potential consequences if their concerns are not addressed.
“We may withdraw from the league competition if our demands are not met and our complaints are ignored.”
Pressure grows as season reaches decisive phase
With the season entering a critical period, Ismaily’s position near the bottom of the table adds urgency to the situation. Any decision to withdraw would have significant implications, both for the club and the wider competition.
For now, the club awaits a response from the relevant authorities regarding its complaints and its request for access to VAR communications. Whether those demands are met may determine the next steps in what is rapidly becoming a high-stakes dispute.
Uncertainty surrounds Ismaily’s next move
Ismaily’s frustrations with refereeing decisions have now developed into a broader confrontation with league authorities. As the club battles to avoid relegation, its leadership has made clear that it is prepared to take drastic action if concerns over officiating are not resolved. The coming days could prove decisive in shaping both Ismaily’s season and the integrity debate within Egyptian football.
