The board of Al-Ahly Club is preparing to convene an emergency meeting on Wednesday afternoon, as tensions intensify between the Cairo-based side and the Egyptian Football Association following a controversial league fixture.
At the centre of the dispute is Al-Ahly’s recent match against Ceramica Cleopatra, played last Tuesday in the opening round of the decisive phase of the Egyptian League season. The situation has escalated sharply in recent hours after the Football Association declined the club’s request to review audio from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room.
According to reports, the FA’s refusal was based on procedural requirements stipulating that only authorised personnel—specifically individuals officially cleared by the association—can participate in such reviews. This decision has triggered significant frustration within Al-Ahly’s leadership.
Legal Consultations Ahead of Crucial Decisions
An internal source revealed that the board meeting had initially been delayed to allow vice-president Yassin Mansour to return from an overseas trip and attend the discussions. The session is expected to begin with a preliminary meeting involving key figures and the club’s legal committee.
The source stated: “Club president Mahmoud El Khatib, his deputy Yassin Mansour, treasurer Khaled Mortagy, and board member Sayed Abdel Hafeez will hold a meeting with the legal committee first, to study the club’s position on the Football Association crisis, before entering the board meeting.”
Senior officials, including Mahmoud El Khatib, Khaled Mortagy and Sayed Abdel Hafeez, are expected to assess the club’s legal standing and determine the next steps in its confrontation with the FA.
Potential Escalation Over Referee Incident
Beyond the VAR dispute, the board will also deliberate on a separate flashpoint involving match referee Mahmoud Wafa. The official has been accused of misconduct following an alleged altercation with Al-Ahly players, including Mohamed El Shenawy, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet and Hussein El Shahat.
The club is expected to consider formally requesting that the referee be referred to the Disciplinary Committee, a move that could further strain relations with the governing body.
In parallel, Al-Ahly is preparing to submit a renewed request to attend a hearing regarding the VAR room discussions. This time, the club intends to comply with the FA’s conditions by ensuring that the same individuals present during the initial visit are included.
Structural Changes on the Agenda
While the FA dispute dominates proceedings, the board will also turn its attention to long-term strategic planning, particularly the restructuring of the football department.
Yassin Mansour and Sayed Abdel Hafeez are set to present a comprehensive vision for the sector, though no specific appointments are expected to be confirmed at this stage.
One proposal under consideration involves the establishment of a specialised contracts and scouting committee, potentially supported by an external foreign consultancy firm tasked with identifying overseas signings.
The source confirmed: “A structure will be presented consisting of a contracts and scouting committee, or a technical committee, alongside a contracted foreign company, to assist in selecting foreign deals.”
Among the names being discussed internally is Essam Siraj, who is reportedly the leading candidate for the role of contracts manager. Additional candidates are also being evaluated for positions within the scouting department.
Crisis Management and Strategic Direction Collide
Wednesday’s meeting represents a critical juncture for Al-Ahly, as the club seeks to balance immediate crisis management with broader institutional reform. With tensions running high and key decisions looming, the outcome of the board’s deliberations could have lasting implications both on and off the pitch.
