Ismaily pull out of Egypt Cup in protest

Pyramids' Hussein Al Sayed (R) in action against Ismaily's Abdelrahman Magdy (L)

Sunday Jun 26, 2022. 12:00

Ismaily have announced they are boycotting the Egypt Cup in the wake of the draw for the round of 16 which took place at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) headquarters on Saturday.

The Dervishes were paired with Zamalek, who were kept separate from Egyptian Premier League title rivals Al Ahly in the draw.

Hamza El-Gamal’s side needed penalties to oust Second Division outfit Petrojet in the round of 32 after their cup-tie had ended in a goalless draw.

However, the two-time Egypt Cup winners have withdrawn from the competition after claiming the draw was unfair as it most benefits the White Knights and the Red Eagles.

“Ismaily management refuses what happened in the Egypt Cup draw as it is a direct draw for specified teams,” the club said in a statement.

“Ismaily protests against the draw as it was held for the benefit of specified teams after the Competitions Committee and EPL board decided to separate Ahly and Zamalek on the top of the two groups without joining the draw.

“Ismaily management sees the Egypt Cup draw as not fair as the EPL [favoured] specified teams over another teams and it opposed to the equal opportunities.

“Hereby, Ismaily management decided to withdraw from Egypt Cup in protest of what happened to save the club’s rights.”