Ahly football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz argues that the red card that sidelined defender Ahmed El-Sayed was unwarranted, fuming because he says the referee in their match with Arab Contractors made a bad call.

"We suffer from the referees’ performance. They always try to undo our effort," Abdel-Hafiz told Ahram Online, frustrated, after the game.

"Ahmed El-Sayed doesn’t deserve the red card," he stated flatly. "It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last."

Ahly defender Ahmed El-Sayed was given the red card for obstructing foe Mohamed Salah as he was on his way to the goal. This happened just two minutes before the match finished, which gave Ahly the 2-0 win over Arab Contractors in the 16th matchday of the Egyptian Premier League Saturday.

The director added that he is pleased with the players’ performance in the game. He reminded them that players Emad Mateb and Mohamed Barakat have recovered from injuries and will be back on the Masry team, who are next on their table.

Ahly moved four points ahead of archrivals Zamalek, who suffered a 2-1 defeat by ENPPI on Friday. The Cairo giants are in the driving seat of the 19-team league table with 36 points.

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