Al Ahly have reacted with measured approval to a statement issued by the Egyptian Football Association (FA) following a contentious refereeing decision that has stirred debate across the domestic game.
The FA released its statement on Thursday in response to the fallout from Al Ahly’s 1-1 draw against Ceramica Cleopatra, a match overshadowed by a disputed penalty decision that was ultimately overturned. The incident triggered a wider controversy, prompting calls for transparency around the use of video assistant referee (VAR) technology.
According to a source within Al Ahly, the club has expressed “relative satisfaction” with the FA’s response, though it remains focused on the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the matter.
Disputed decision sparks wider crisis
The controversy centres on a moment in the match when Al Ahly believed they had been awarded a penalty, only for the decision to be rescinded following VAR consultation. The sequence of events led to frustration within the club and raised questions over officiating standards.
In the aftermath, an Al Ahly delegation travelled to the FA headquarters seeking access to video recordings and audio exchanges between referee Mahmoud Wafa and VAR official Mahmoud Ashour. The club aimed to review the communication that led to the reversal of the penalty decision.
However, the request was not fulfilled. FA officials declined to proceed with the hearing, citing the absence of individuals required to be present for such a review. This development further fuelled tensions surrounding the incident.
FA statement acknowledges Al Ahly’s role
In its official communication, the FA highlighted Al Ahly’s longstanding contribution to Egyptian football, describing the club as a central pillar of the sport domestically and a key figure in its international development.
The governing body’s recognition of Al Ahly’s stature appears to have contributed to easing immediate tensions, with the club acknowledging that some of its demands had been addressed.
A source told Yalla Kora that the FA had demonstrated an understanding of Al Ahly’s broader objective, which is to safeguard the integrity and competitiveness of the league. The source added that such efforts ultimately benefit all participating clubs.
Investigation offers cautious hope
Central to Al Ahly’s response is the FA’s decision to refer referee Mahmoud Wafa for investigation. The move has been viewed within the club as a positive step towards accountability.
At the same time, attention has also turned to Saeed Murad, a member of the referees committee, who is being scrutinised over remarks reportedly made during a ceremony for awarding international referee badges.
Despite welcoming these developments, Al Ahly are adopting a wait-and-see approach. The club is keen to see the findings of both investigations before forming a definitive position on the matter.
Awaiting clarity amid lingering questions
While the FA’s intervention has helped to calm immediate unrest, the episode underscores ongoing concerns about refereeing consistency and VAR implementation in Egyptian football.
For Al Ahly, the current mood is one of cautious optimism. The club recognises progress in the FA’s response but remains firmly focused on achieving full transparency and accountability.
The outcome of the investigations is now expected to play a decisive role in determining whether confidence in the system can be restored.
