Ahly are feeling hard done-by after some refereeing decisions went against them in a disappointing 0-0 draw against Assiouty Sports last week but they can hardly find any excuses should they fail to beat another unfancied side in Damanhour on Saturday. The Red Devils have made a stuttering start to their pursuit of a ninth consecutive league crown, collecting only five points from their first four games, including the controversial draw against top-flight debutants Assiouty Sports. They had a goal disallowed for apparent offside and a late penalty claim waved away by the referee, decisions which prompted an angry response from Ahly's management and Spanish coach Juan Carlos Garrido. "Not happy with the draw. Ahly deserved 3 points. Penalty & goal cancelled, key action. Players fought 100%. We'll keep working harder," Garrido said on his Twitter feed. "We missed many chances to win the match. Referee mistakes again. We'll keep fighting and we'll go stronger for the next match." The club also released a statement accusing the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) of trying to "hinder our progress for hidden reasons" and called on the governing body to open investigation into a number of incidents. Ahly said they would no longer tolerate "injustice" but they haven't specified what kind of measures they may take should further refereeing mistakes go against them, although football director Wael Gomaa, a rock-solid defender who retired at the end of last season, hinted the club may go as far as withdrawing from the competition. Promoted Damanhour lie third from bottom with three points from six games but given Ahly's current erratic form, they will be hoping to cause an upset. Ahly will also have to do without two of their most influential players. Striker Amr Gamal faces at least six months on the sidelines after rupturing a cruciate knee ligament while winger Walid Soliman, Ahly's best performer so far this season, was hit with a four-match suspension for lifting up the referee's shirt in an angry reaction at being shown a red card. (For more sports news and updates, follow AhramOnline Sports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/114433.aspx
