The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Competition Committee penalised Zamalek for its failure to appear for an Egyptian Premier League match against Maqassa on Sunday, registering the game as a 2-0 defeat for the Cairo-based club. "As the match referee reported that Zamalek failed to show up for the game on time, and after checking the official letters sent to both clubs [about the timing of the match], the committee ruled that Zamalek was defeated 2-0 by Maqassa," the committee stated on the association's official website on Tuesday morning. On Sunday, Zamalek failed to appear at Cairo's Petrosport Stadium for the scheduled 7 pm kick-off, while Maqassa was present at the venue. Zamalek's non-attendance followed several threats this season from club chairman Mortada Mansour that Zamalek would withdraw from matches in protest at refereeing decisions and competition regulations. The referee waited for 20 minutes on the pitch before abandoning the match. Maqassa was expected to be awarded a win be default. The EFA had originally postponed the match for one day, but Mansour claims that he was informed the game would take place on Tuesday, not Sunday. Zamalek's previous league match against Maqassa last month was also clouded with controversy when the White Knights were denied a clear penalty, with Maqassa going on to win the match 1-0. Ahly are leading the table with 64 points, with second-placed Maqassa on 57 and fourth-placed Zamalek on 40 but with a game in hand. Zamalek are scheduled to play Talae El-Giesh on Wednesday.
