ISMAILIA/CAIRO: Ismaili board member Khaled Al-Tayeb launched an attack on the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) for postponing their league game against Ahly.
As a sign of support for Ahly, who are preparing to face Enyimba in the first-leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final, the Egyptian FA postponed the anticipated league clash.
Ismaili’s match against rivals Ahly was due to be played on Sept. 29; six days before Ahly meet Enyimba in Aba.
The decision outraged the Dervishes, who believe that the EFA’s action isgroundless.
“They neither took Ismaili’s opinion into consideration nor Ahly asked for a postponement, Al-Tayeb told Nile Sports.
“The EFA should have waited for Ismaili’s all-clear before taking such a decision. We are not a small club to be treated like that.
Al-Tayeb went as far as threatening that Ismaili would withdraw from the league should the EFA stands firm on their stance.
“Ismaili won’t remain silent. The club won’t play any match before facing Ahly even if that means that we would have to withdraw from the competition, he added
In response, Ahly assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri said that Ismaili shouldn’t be annoyed by the EFA’s decision to postpone their league game against the Red Devils.
Al-Badri believes the match’s postponement will benefit Ismaili more than Ahly.
“To be honest, Ismaili were not ready to face us on Monday, he told Modern Sport late on Friday.
“They have suspension and injury problems that could affect their performance against Ahly. I’m surprised that they protested against the postponement decision.
