Al Ahly SC's board of directors, chaired by Mahmoud Al-Khatib, decided to boycott all upcoming Arab football tournaments after its urgent meeting held on Saturday. In a statement, the club said its decision comes in response to the recurrent offenses by the President of the Union of Arab Football Associations, Turki Al-Sheikh, against Al Ahly's board of directors, members, and fans, which affects the union's role as the umbrella of Arab clubs. Cairo's giant also announced it will not participate in any upcoming official or friendly meetings of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) protesting the EFA's violation to its rules and the laws of the Egyptian Olympic Committee and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by turning a blind eye to the offenses of Zamalek's chairperson, who is legally suspended, against Al Ahly's representative during the EFA's last meeting with the heads of Egyptian clubs. Al Ahly stressed that the regulations of the CAF, FIFA, and the Olympic Charter are the regulator of the club's relations with the local football federation and its committees. Al Ahly also decided to submit an official complaint to CAF and the Egyptian Olympic Committee about the participation of Zamalek's chairperson in the EFA's meeting even though he was banned by both institutions from practicing any sports or administrative activities related to football. Al Ahly refused any decisions issued by the EFA or its committees based on the recommendations made by the President of Zamalek during the last Wednesday meeting, describing it as void. Al-Ahly asserted that they will play all its upcoming league matches based on the schedule announced by the EFA until 30 March, adding that it has informed all clubs on 8 January and found no objection. Later, the EFA announced that the game between Al Ahly and Pyramids FC in the Egyptian Premier League will be postponed until the Red Devils face Zamalek, instead of being played on 28 February. Al Ahly are currently third on the league table with 39 points and three games in hand. Zamalek also have three games in hand and are on top of the league with 45 points. As for Pyramids, they sit second with 42 points. Al Ahly and Zamalek have yet to face each other in the league this season due to their commitment to continental and Arab competitions. On the other hand, Al Ahly stressed that they will not play any game in local tournaments without fans as per the conditions agreed upon previously, adding that if the EFA chooses different venues than those agreed upon, where fans cannot attend due to the preparation for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations; the EFA will be responsible to obtain all required approvals, including the security approval, to allow the entry of fans.
