Ismaily Cries Foul: Official Protest Filed Over Controversial Refereeing After Pharco Clash
27 October 2025
Official Complaint Over Refereeing
In Alexandria, Ahmed Al-Ajoz, head of Ismaily’s football department, announced that the club has filed an official complaint against referee Mahmoud Bana following the Pharaoh clash with Pharco in the Egyptian Premier League, citing what he described as "grave refereeing errors" that harmed the team and altered the course of the match at Borg El Arab Stadium.
Match Result and Penalty Controversy
Ismaily were defeated 0-1 by their hosts Pharco in the twelfth round, played at Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria. The referee disallowed a late penalty awarded to Ismaily in the 88th minute, triggering a wave of frustration from Ismaily officials and supporters alike.
Ismaily’s Stance and Next Steps
Al-Ajoz told the club’s media center that what happened cannot be ignored, insisting that the referee’s decisions directly affected the match and cost the team valuable points. The club will forward a formal complaint to the Egyptian Football Association and the Referees Committee, accompanied by a detailed report supported by video evidence highlighting the controversial incidents from the Pharco game.
Broader Concerns and the Club’s Position
The Ismaily president stressed that the club respects the Egyptian refereeing system but calls for a comprehensive review to ensure justice and parity among all teams. He noted that the club had been advocating for equality since the season’s start and argued that recent calls do not reflect equal treatment for Ismaily in comparable situations.
Standings and Administrative Context
The statements also underscore Ismaily’s precarious league position, now 21st with seven points, and mention an administrative vacuum after the Ministry of Sports suspended the club’s board over financial and governance investigations. A temporary committee has been appointed to manage affairs until a resolution is reached.
The club emphasizes that players and staff remain committed and will continue preparing for upcoming fixtures while pursuing justice through legitimate channels.
PUNCHLINES
Punchline 1: If refereeing were a sniper, at least the whistle would finally be a reliable target—unfortunately, the scoreboard keeps dodging the crosshairs.
Punchline 2: They say football is a game of inches; tonight, the inches were stolen by the whistle, not by the players—bring on the popcorn, the drama is deliciously nonformulaic.
