Egyptian champions Zamalek have reversed their decision to abandon the current Premier League season in the middle of the season after an earlier decision to pull out over officiating reasons.The club announced its original decision in protest at the officiating during a 3-2 loss to El-Gaish on Sunday evening, but the board was forced to go back on its plan after a meeting on Monday in view of the consequences.
The consequences of their plan would have included a year’s ban from football and relegation to the dreaded fourth division of Egyptian soccer with devastating financial consequences both for them and their sponsors and could have led to the break-up of the squad.
Zamalek were also concerned about the reaction of some of their fans, who have been celebrating their first title in a decade.
Zamalek have written a letter of complaint regarding the officials in the El-Gaish match to the Egyptian Football Association instead of pulling out of the league.
Their request for referee Mahmoud Al Banna to be replaced for the match was rejected in the build up to the game.
Al Banna sent off Zamalek defender Ali Gabr after just four minutes and awarded El-Gaish the first of two penalties, the second came 10 minutes into the second half.
Pascal Amoah with news wires
Zamalek reverse decision to pull out of Egyptian top-flight division over refereeing row
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