Former Egyptian Football Association president Gamal Allam has claimed that some clubs interfered in the appointment of referees during his tenure, raising fresh questions about officiating practices in the Egyptian Premier League.
Speaking in a televised interview, Allam described behind-the-scenes dynamics that, he said, affected how referees were selected for league fixtures. His remarks shed light on internal challenges faced by administrators in managing one of Africa’s most competitive domestic competitions.
Claims of interference in referee selection
Allam stated that certain clubs sought to influence officiating decisions by requesting the exclusion of specific referees from their matches.
“Some league clubs were interfering to exclude certain referees from their league matches.”
He added that, in some cases, he personally intervened in the appointment process to address concerns about repeated assignments.
“I used to intervene in the appointment of referees for league matches if the same referee’s name was repeated in more than one match.”
His comments suggest that the process of selecting match officials was not always insulated from external pressure, although he did not name specific clubs.
Scrutiny of refereeing standards
The former FA president also indicated that domestic referees were under significant scrutiny, particularly in comparison with international standards.
“The Egyptian referees are putting the heads of the foreign referees committee on trial.”
While he did not elaborate further, the statement points to ongoing debates about the performance and oversight of referees within Egyptian football.
World Cup qualifier controversy revisited
Beyond domestic competition, Allam addressed the Egyptian FA’s attempt to have the decisive World Cup qualifying match against Senegal national football team replayed following the 2022 qualification campaign.
He suggested that the association lacked sufficient influence within Confederation of African Football to secure such a decision.
“We did not have enough power within CAF to help us replay the Egypt-Senegal match, despite the presence of Hani Abu Rida.”
Allam went on to describe logistical and organisational issues faced by the Egyptian team during the fixture.
“The Senegalese team committed many violations, and we were staying in a hotel far from the stadium. We moved along a strange road with a market to hinder our arrival at the match on time.”
These remarks revisit long-standing frustrations surrounding the match, which was pivotal in determining qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Broader implications for Egyptian football
Allam’s comments are likely to reignite debate about governance and transparency within Egyptian football. Allegations of club influence over referees, if substantiated, could raise concerns about fairness and integrity in domestic competitions.
At the same time, his reflections on the World Cup qualifier highlight the complexities faced by national associations operating within continental football structures.
Continuing debate
While no immediate response has been reported from the Egyptian FA or league authorities, the issues raised by Allam underline the challenges of maintaining impartiality in officiating and ensuring competitive balance.
His statements contribute to an ongoing conversation about reform and accountability in football administration, both domestically and across the African game.
