Ahmed Bilal, former star of Al-Ahly Club, clarified that he contacted Wael Gomaa, the football director of the Red Devils, regarding the incident involving referee Mohamed Maarouf and the truth behind the referee's request to substitute player Ali Mahmoud against ZED out of fear he might be sent off.
Ahmed Bilal stated in television interviews on Al-Ahly Channel: "Referee Mohamed Maarouf is the same one who previously sent off Mohamed Hany because he was walking while leaving the field; he is also the same referee who was jumping around when Zamalek scored a goal in a previous match."
The former Al-Ahly star questioned: "Is referee Mohamed Maarouf the one who will worry about Al-Ahly's interests and tell Wael Gomaa that he fears player Ali Mahmoud might be sent off?"
He added: "I contacted Wael Gomaa, and he absolutely denied any conversation with Mohamed Maarouf regarding what was raised about Ali Mahmoud. Ultimately, there are video technology recordings; we might hear them."
He continued: "Al-Ahly Club will not remain silent and will file complaints with the Supreme Council for Media and everywhere else. What is currently happening is an attempt to restrict and pressure referees so their decisions go against Al-Ahly, aiming to halt its momentum. What happened last season will not happen again."
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He continued his statements: "Last season, Al-Ahly lost the Egyptian Premier League due to deliberate actions; the evidence is the match between Al-Ahly and Ceramica Cleopatra. Do you think Mahmoud El-Fa's league was fair?"
He concluded his remarks: "Despite all this, Al-Ahly was close to winning the league last season, and what happened will not repeat because it was an exceptional season that won't occur often."
