Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz criticised the referee’s decision to only give five-minute stoppage time during the 1-0 home defeat to Maqassa in the Egyptian league on Thursday.

Last season’s runners-up Ahly were handed their first defeat of the season after international keeper Sherif Ekramy failed to properly deal with a 57th-minute free kick from Ahmed Sami, whose goal proved to be the match winner.

Despite the game being devoid of any major controversial refereeing decisions, unlike Zamalek’s comeback 2-1 win over Arab Contractors a day earlier, Ahly football director Abdel-Hafiz still took time to criticise the official.

“I just hope the Egyptian football association’s refereeing committee would take more into consideration the stoppage time referees give,” Abdel-Hafiz said in the post-match press conference.

“Why should a referee only give five-minute stoppage time, despite the time wasted by the opponents’ players while feigning injuries during the game?"

“Yesterday, the referee of the Zamalek game made a mistake, and today, the official did not give the accurate stoppage time."

“For sure I did not wish to see my team lose before the league break, however, it’s still early in the league season.”

Due to national team commitments, Ahly and Zamalek will not play for more than 40 days following the league's fourth week.

Reigning champions Zamalek now top the league table with 10 points, while Ahly slipped to fourth on nine.

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