Locker Room Storm After Cairo Derby: Ferreira Skips Press Conference as Romadi Appeals to Fans

Match details

The Zamalek vs Bank Al Ahly clash finished in a 1-1 draw, ending a week marked by tension inside the club as they failed to secure a win for a fourth straight league game.

Played at Cairo International Stadium as part of round 12 of the Egyptian Premier League, the scoring saw Osama Faisal convert a 30th minute penalty for Bank Al Ahly, while Angolan Chico Banza answered for Zamalek in the 33rd minute.

Neither side could claim victory, with Zamalek also drawing with Ghazl El Mahalla and El Gouna earlier in the season and failing to beat Ismaily since September.

After the match, Zamalek sat on 19 points in fourth, under coach Yanic Ferreira, who had overseen five wins, four draws and two defeats. Bank Al Ahly climbed to 15 points in ninth under head coach Ayman El Romadi in his first game against his former club.

Aftermath and reactions

Immediately after the whistle, the situation intensified when Ferreira’s team announced he would not attend the post-match press conference, a move seen as a violation of league rules that could trigger a financial penalty for Zamalek.

In contrast, Ayman El Romadi delivered an emotional address to the fans, praising their loyalty and urging them to back the team in this difficult phase.

Ferreira’s decision to skip the conference was unprecedented, especially after a run of poor results. Press conferences are mandatory under league regulations, and questions remain about whether the absence was due to anger, frustration, or a wish to dodge tough questions about the team’s recent slump and nine points dropped in four games. The league has signaled possible penalties for such absences.

The absence adds to the club’s financial challenges and raises questions about the working relationship between management and the coaching staff during the crisis. Romadi’s message to the supporters stands as a reminder that loyalty from the fan base remains strong despite on-field struggles.

Romadi’s remarks, paired with Ferreira’s absence, underline a stark contrast: the club’s leadership faces scrutiny while the fans continue to back the project. The broader question now is whether the off-pitch tensions can translate into on-pitch improvement in the weeks ahead.

Punchline 1: If patience were a goalkeeper, Zamalek would finally have a clean sheet — too bad patience is priceless and points aren’t.

Punchline 2: The drama tonight was on the pitch and off it, with the press conference benched but the fan chorus still on beat.