Al Ahly Faces Huge Financial Losses Over Threat to Leave Egyptian Premier League

Al Ahly, one of Africa’s most successful football clubs, is reportedly on the brink of incurring massive financial losses as they threaten to leave the Egyptian Premier League. The Red Devils’ dispute with the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has escalated following their refusal to participate in the Cairo Derby against arch-rivals Zamalek earlier this month. The reason for their withdrawal was a demand for a foreign referee, which was not fulfilled, leading to a significant fallout.

Zamalek, who honored the fixture, were awarded a 3-0 victory by the Professional Clubs Association after Al Ahly refused to take part. Unhappy with this decision, the Club of the Century appealed the ruling, but their appeal was upheld by the Egyptian Olympic Committee, keeping Zamalek’s victory intact. As a result, the White Knights now sit just three points behind Al Ahly in the league standings.

Before the Cairo Derby, Al Ahly made it clear that they would consider leaving the Egyptian Premier League if their request for a foreign referee was not granted. However, their refusal to play in the derby has now come with significant financial consequences.

Reports suggest that Al Ahly has suffered a staggering financial blow due to their non-participation in the match. The club has reportedly lost up to 220 million Egyptian pounds (approximately R79.3 million) in revenue, including losses from TV broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, stadium advertisements, and the loss of income from sponsoring companies.

The financial repercussions don’t stop there. A source informed Kooora that Al Ahly’s losses could increase further if they proceed with their threat to leave the league. If they choose not to complete their remaining matches, the club could lose an additional 100 million Egyptian pounds (about R36 million) in sponsor revenue, along with 60 million Egyptian pounds (around R21.6 million) from TV broadcasting rights for the remaining fixtures. This would bring the total financial loss to a staggering 380 million Egyptian pounds (approximately R136 million).

With such substantial financial stakes, Al Ahly is reportedly waiting for the return of their chairman, Mahmoud El-Khatib, before making a final decision on whether to continue in the Egyptian Premier League this season. The outcome of this situation could have far-reaching implications for the club, both on and off the field.

As one of Africa’s most successful clubs, Al Ahly’s potential departure from the domestic league would send shockwaves through Egyptian football, impacting sponsorships, broadcasting agreements, and the overall landscape of the competition. With mounting financial losses and a fractured relationship with the league, the coming days will be crucial in determining the future of the Red Devils in the Egyptian Premier League.