Crisis-hit Ismaili could be uncommonly playing next season to avoid relegation, according to football director Ibrahim Hassan. The coastal club have been encountering a severe administrative turmoil of late, which witnessed the departure of two boards of directors this summer. After less than a month in charge, chairman Yehia Al-Koumi stepped down this week after failing to fulfill his promise by covering the late wages of first-team players. With speculation that Al-Koumi is pondering a return, prominent Ismaili players skipped training on Wednesday in protest over his presence. Survival “After this stance from the important players of the team, I don't think we can compete to win titles,” former Zamalek football director Hassan told reporters. “Survival in the Premier League has become our main goal now. “Our pre-season campaign was going well, but now everything stops until we see what happens next.” Ismaili finished third in the Egyptian Premier League last term as their last taste of silverware was back in 2001 when they lifted the domestic title.
