CAIRO: Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere was chosen to officiate Thursday s Cairo derby between Ahly and Zamalek, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced.
The 43-year-old will be assisted by fellow countrymen Peter Hermans and Alex Verstraeten, EFA said on its official website.
De Bleeckere has refereed many high-profile games since becoming an international referee in 1998, including the EURO 2008 semi-final between Russia and Spain.
Traditionally, the EFA assigns the Cairo derby to foreign referees due to the fierce rivalry between Ahly and Zamalek.
Foreign officials are rarely criticized by Ahly and Zamalek fans, unlike Egyptians who are usually accused of favoring one side over the other.
