Ismaili sent an official request to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) asking that their local league game against Ittihad Alexandria be postponed. The Dervishes are complaining from a fixture pile-up, as they will have to play four crucial games in the period from May 18th to 28th, starting with the CAF Confederation Cup clash against Wydad Casablanca. Football supervisor Sayed Abdul-Razek hopes to postpone Ittihad game, which is scheduled for Monday the 21st, as he revealed the club's frustration with the schedule. "We hope to postpone the Ittihad game because we are given no time between matches, it is almost impossible to play on May 18th in the Confederation Cup and then meet Ittihad three days later in the league," Abdul-Razek told Filoal.com
The Dervishes will face Wydad on Friday Abdul-Razek claimed that the EFA is playing favorites. "Zamalek are given a very comfortable fixture list compared to our busy schedule." Ismaili are facing a fierce competition from Zamalek for second place in the Egyptian Premier League, a position that would secure them a place in next year's CAF Champions League, with just two points separating them. Ismaili are set to face league leaders Ahli on May 25th and rivals Masri on the 28th, which led club president Yehia Al-Koumi to threaten to forfeit the Egyptian League competition if the EFA did not respond to Ismaili's request.
