Ahly to resume Egyptian League after EPL reduces derby withdrawal punishment - Egyptian Football

Al-Ahram Weekly

31-03-2025

​Cairo giants Ahly announced early Monday that they will resume competing in the Egyptian Premier League after the Egyptian Pro League (EPL) reduced the punishment imposed on them for withdrawing from their recent derby against archrivals Zamalek.
In a statement, Ahly highlighted the EPL's acknowledgment of the club's good intentions, reiterating that their primary concern has always been fairness and the overall interests of Egyptian football, even if it came at a short-term cost.
The club confirmed that they 'will resume the league, alongside doing all the necessary actions to keep the club's rights, and avoiding such mistakes in the future.'
On 11 March, Ahly failed to show up for the highly anticipated Cairo derby against Zamalek in protest over the EPL's refusal to appoint a foreign refereeing crew for the match.
The defending champions had threatened to withdraw from the league if their request for foreign officials and a derby postponement was not met.
As a result, Ahly were deemed to have forfeited the match 3-0, with an additional three-point deduction and financial penalties. However, the EPL announced a revised decision on Sunday, stating that due to the congested schedule, they were unable to accommodate Ahly's demand—calling it 'a legitimate demand for all clubs." The EPL acknowledged "that Ahly's request was made in pursuit of fairness rather than to create a crisis or refuse to play the derby."
Ahly initially appealed the decision to the Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC), but it was rejected due to a lack of merit. The club had vowed to escalate the issue further but has now opted to continue in the league following the EPL's revised ruling.
Zamalek and Pyramids React
The EPL's decision sparked immediate anger from title contenders Zamalek and Pyramids FC.
Following the cancellation of the points deduction, Ahly remained second in the table with 39 points, four behind leaders Pyramids FC. Zamalek, sitting third with 35 points, are vying for a top-two finish to secure a CAF Champions League spot next season.
Zamalek issued a statement rejecting the EPL's decision and threatening to escalate the matter both domestically and internationally. The club criticized the league's handling of the competition, calling it unprofessional and describing the situation as 'chaotic and absurd.'
Pyramids FC also condemned the ruling, arguing that it reflected inconsistency and unfairness, as Zamalek had faced a similar punishment last season without any reduction.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
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