Defending Egyptian Champions Zamalek Quit League in Protest over Refereeing

Defending Egyptian champions Zamalek SC have quit the Egyptian Premier League in an extraordinary protest against poor officiating, reported BBC Sport.

Zamalek went down against Talae El-Geish 3-2 on Sunday for their first defeat of the domestic season, but before the match had even concluded, the club issued a statement explaining its withdrawal from the competition.

"The club's board decided to stop competing in the Egyptian league after the refereeing mistakes against the team in Sunday's match against Talae El-Geish," an official statement read (via Al Bawaba).

The Cairo-based club had unsuccessfully appealed the appointment of referee Mahmoud El-Banaa and believed his designation was to aid rivals Al Ahly.

El-Banaa issued a red card to one of Zamalek's players after four minutes and awarded two penalties to El-Geish during the match.

"The referee was appointed for the match despite the board's objection," the statement continued. "It seems that what happened was on purpose to stop Zamalek's fine run and also to support our opponents who lost in their last match."

Under current rules, sixth-placed Zamalek run the risk of relegation to the fourth tier if they don't reverse their decision.

[BBC Sport, Al Bawaba.com]