The Egyptian Football Association has responded firmly to concerns raised by Al Ahly over the appointment of referee Mahmoud Wafa for their clash against Ceramica Cleopatra.
The controversy stems from Wafa officiating back-to-back matches in the opening rounds, as well as his quick turnaround after returning from international duty, where he handled the Libya vs Morocco fixture just hours before the game.
Oscar Ruiz: “Selection Is Based on Merit, Not Pressure”
According to a source within the EFA, Oscar Ruiz, head of the referees committee, made it clear that referee appointments fall strictly under his authority.
Ruiz defended the decision, stating that Wafa’s selection was based on a full technical assessment and his proven ability to handle high-profile matches.
“No club, whether Al Ahly or any other, has the right to interfere in the referees committee’s choices,” Ruiz stressed.
Marcel Koller Al Ahly president
Why Mahmoud Wafa Was Chosen
The referees committee outlined the criteria behind Wafa’s appointment, emphasizing that selections are not random but guided by structured standards:
Technical competence
Physical fitness and readiness
Experience in high-pressure matches
Rotation policy to ensure fairness
Despite concerns over fatigue following his international assignment, the committee maintains that Wafa met all required benchmarks.
EFA Draws the Line on Club Influence
The response signals a strong stance from the Egyptian Football Association in protecting the independence of its refereeing body.
With tensions often high in title races involving clubs like Al Ahly, the federation appears keen to reinforce that officiating decisions will remain strictly professional and insulated from external pressure.
What This Means Going Forward
This latest development highlights ongoing friction between clubs and refereeing authorities in Egyptian football, especially in high-stakes fixtures.
However, with Ruiz drawing a clear line, the message is unmistakable: referee selections will be driven by performance and policy; not club influence.
Kwaku Nii
Kwaku Nii is an experienced football writer with a strong background in African football reporting. He has spent over five years working as a freelance journalist, covering matches, transfers and key developments across the continent.He is university educated and has built a reputation for his deep knowledge of the African game, supported by a wide network of contacts within the football industry.Kwaku brings valuable insight, consistency and on-the-ground perspective to his reporting, making him a trusted voice in covering African football stories.He is currently a Staff Writer at African.Football, where he contributes to delivering informed, engaging and reliable football content to a global audience.
