Pyramids FC submitted an appeal to CAS challenging the (EFA) Appeals Committee’s recent decision regarding disciplinary actions stemming from Ahly’s no-show in the 11 March Cairo derby against Zamalek.
Both Zamalek and Pyramids FC had earlier appealed an (EPL) Board decision to reduce sanctions against Ahly, with a six-point deduction being cut to three.
Ahly, for their part, had requested the derby be replayed and that all penalties be overturned.
After nearly six weeks of deliberation, the (EFA) Appeals Committee on 15 May rejected Ahly’s request for a replay, stating the club had no right to demand such an outcome.
The committee also dismissed appeals from Pyramids FC, Zamalek, and Ahly, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
It said the (EPL) Board’s decisions are protected under league bylaws, and the Appeals Committee has no authority to invalidate any article of those regulations.
The Appeals Committee added that any affected parties may appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the only body with the jurisdiction to invalidate any article in the Egyptian League's bylaws.
Following that decision, Pyramids FC and Zamalek turned to CAS to challenge the rulings.
The crisis began on 11 March when Ahly failed to appear for their highly anticipated derby against Zamalek, protesting the assignment of an Egyptian referee instead of a foreign official as they had requested.
Egyptian referee Mohamed Bassyouni, along with the Zamalek team, arrived at Cairo International Stadium on time.
The match was officially abandoned 15 minutes after kickoff due to Ahly’s absence.
In response, the (EPL) Competitions Committee awarded Zamalek a 3–0 win by default, docked Ahly an additional three points, and ordered the club to compensate for financial losses related to the match’s cancellation.
Ahly rejected the sanctions, arguing that their request for a foreign referee was justified given the match’s significance.
The club threatened to withdraw from the league unless the penalties were rescinded.
Ahly appealed to the Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC), which ultimately upheld the EPL Competitions Committee’s decision.
In late March, the (EPL) Board reduced the point deduction to three, citing Article 63 of the league’s bylaws, which allows the Board to make decisions under conditions of force majeure and emergencies.
The article also shields such decisions from appeal.
With one game remaining in the season, Ahly sit atop the league with 55 points, two ahead of second-placed Pyramids FC.
Ahly are set to face Pharco FC on Wednesday, while Pyramids FC take on Ceramica Cleopatra the same day.
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