Club challenges referee decisions and seeks review of key VAR incident
Egyptian champions Al Ahly have intensified their response to a controversial league match against Ceramica Cleopatra, lodging formal complaints and preparing a high-level delegation to meet officials at the Egyptian Football Association.
The dispute stems from a 1-1 draw between the two sides in the opening round of the championship group stage of the Egyptian Premier League. Al Ahly officials believe their team was denied a decisive penalty late in the match, a moment that has since become the focal point of the escalating row.
Referee Mahmoud Wafa declined to award the spot-kick, a decision that has prompted strong objections from the Cairo-based club. In the aftermath, Al Ahly submitted multiple complaints calling for an investigation into the official, particularly over what they described as inappropriate conduct involving players Mohamed El Shenawy, Hussein El Shahat and Mahmoud Trezeguet.
Disciplinary tensions deepen over goalkeeper suspension
The controversy has been compounded by disciplinary action taken against Al Ahly captain El Shenawy. The goalkeeper was handed a four-match suspension and fined 50,000 Egyptian pounds following what was described as an attempt to assault the referee after the final whistle.
However, the club has strongly contested that decision. According to an internal source, Al Ahly have formally requested that the sanction be reduced or temporarily suspended pending the outcome of their complaint.
He added: “Al-Ahly believes that El-Shenawy did not assault the referee, but the video footage showed that, due to his reaction to the unjustified expulsion he suffered after the end of the match, in addition to the transgression that occurred against him by referee Mahmoud Wafa.”
The club has proposed that the punishment be reduced to a single match or frozen entirely until the Disciplinary Committee reviews the case.
Delegation set to review VAR communications
As part of their escalation, Al Ahly are sending a delegation to the national association headquarters to seek further clarity on the contentious decisions. The group is expected to examine video assistant referee (VAR) communications linked to the incident, including exchanges between match referee Wafa and VAR official Mahmoud Ashour.
The club is particularly interested in accessing transcripts of the referee’s earpiece conversations, especially those that reportedly took place after the match. This follows claims that Sayed Abdel Hafeez, a senior club official, was accused of threatening the referee—an allegation Al Ahly appear keen to scrutinise.
The delegation will reportedly include Abdel Hafeez, a legal representative, a technical expert, and a media official, reflecting the seriousness with which the club is pursuing the matter.
Focus shifts to upcoming league fixture
Despite the ongoing dispute, attention will soon return to on-field matters. Al Ahly are preparing to face Smouha in their next championship stage match, scheduled to take place at Cairo Stadium.
The defending champions are aiming to secure a fourth consecutive league title, but the fallout from the Ceramica Cleopatra match continues to cast a shadow over their campaign.
Pressure mounts on officials amid growing scrutiny
Al Ahly’s actions signal mounting pressure on Egyptian football authorities to address concerns over refereeing standards and disciplinary procedures. With formal complaints lodged and a delegation seeking transparency, the outcome of this dispute could have wider implications for governance within the domestic game.
