Al Ahly defeated Zamalek 2-1 in the summit match of the ninth week of the Nile Egyptian League.

Hossam Abdel Meguid scored Zamalek’s opening goal from a penalty in the 32nd minute of the first half, a decision that was among the referee’s difficult calls. Then Hussein El Shahat equalized in the 71st minute just two minutes after coming on as a substitute, followed by Trezeguet scoring the winning goal in the 78th minute from a penalty.

Refereeing Controversy in the Summit Match

Spanish international referee Cesar Soto Grado sparked controversy among Egyptian football fans after making some difficult decisions in the summit match between Al Ahly and Zamalek in the ninth week of the Nile League.

Soto Grado awarded a penalty to Zamalek in the 30th minute after a violent intervention by Yassin Marai on Addy Al-Dabbagh. Abdullah Al-Saeed took the penalty but it was saved by Mohamed El-Shenawy. The Spanish referee decided to have it retaken, and Hossam Abdel Meguid scored on the retake in the 32nd minute to put the White Castle ahead.

In the 43rd minute, the referee awarded a penalty after a foul by Abdullah Al-Saeed on Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, but after reviewing the VAR, he canceled the decision and let play continue.

Referee’s Decisions Were Correct

Refereeing expert Mohamed Salah Abdel Fattah confirmed that Cesar Soto Grado’s decisions regarding the two penalties were correct.

Abdel Fattah told Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper that Soto Grado acted properly in the Abdullah Al-Saeed penalty, deciding to retake it due to an error by Al Ahly players entering the penalty area before the kick.

He added that canceling the penalty for Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet was correct, as the ball touched Abdullah Al-Saeed’s stomach, not his hand.

Al Ahly Nears the Top of the Egyptian League

Al Ahly raised its points to 15 in third place after playing 8 matches, while Zamalek remained at the top with 17 points after 9 matches.

Al Masry of Port Said is in second place with 15 points, tied with Al Ahly, with one match in hand for the latter.