Al Ahly (L) and Pyramids (R) celebrating winning the league title
The Egyptian Premier League’s final day on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, produced a spectacle as dramatic off the pitch as it was on it, ending in scenes of surreal confusion and controversy.
At Cairo International Stadium, Al Ahly thrashed Pharco 6-0 in their final match of the season. Simultaneously, Pyramids FC demolished El Gaish 5-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium.
Meaning Al Ahly finished just two points ahead of Pyramids, having amassed 58 points to Pyramids’ 56.
Both victories were emphatic, but what followed was something even more extraordinary; both clubs began celebrating as league champions.
The league trophy was presented to Al Ahly in a jubilant ceremony at the Cairo International Stadium. But hundreds of kilometres away, in Ismailia, Pyramids were staging their title celebration, without the actual trophy.
Pyramids players remained on the pitch after full-time, arms aloft, declaring themselves rightful winners.
The club released a bold statement that read, “The truth will not be erased. Pyramids number one.”
This wasn’t just sour grapes, Pyramids believe the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) violated their rules and gifted the title to Al Ahly unjustly.
At the centre of the chaos lies a derby that never happened, the much-anticipated Cairo clash between Al Ahly and Zamalek.
Al Ahly refused to show up for the match after their request for foreign referees was denied. The EFA instead appointed local officials, prompting Al Ahly to make good on their warning:
“If it’s local referees, we won’t play.”
Zamalek, on the other hand, showed up, went through pre-match procedures, and waited on the pitch. The local referees, per protocol, started the match and called it off after confirming Al Ahly’s no-show.
According to the league’s own disciplinary rules, failure to honour a scheduled match results in three points awarded to the opponent and an additional 3-point deduction for the team that forfeits.
By that logic, Al Ahly should have lost six points, three to Zamalek and three from their total tally.
But the EFA made a controversial decision. They only awarded the 3 points to Zamalek but refused to deduct the additional 3 points from Al Ahly.
Citing the club’s reasoning that the federation had failed to uphold their request for foreign officials, a request reportedly granted to other clubs during the season.
Al Ahly’s appeal was upheld. Pyramids and Zamalek both objected, with Pyramids filing their formal complaint and later an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
However, CAS rejected the appeal and allowed the EFA to proceed with their title ceremony.
The result? Al Ahly were crowned champions, and Pyramids were left furious, insisting they had more points if the rules were applied fairly.
To Pyramids, the issue isn’t just about one game. It’s about consistency and integrity.
They believe the rulebook is clear: Al Ahly should’ve been docked six points. With those deductions, Pyramids would top the table and lift the Egyptian Premier League title for the first time in their history.
But the EFA saw it differently, and that difference has split Egyptian football right down the middle.
On one side, the most decorated club in Africa celebrates another trophy, their third league title in a row and their 45th league crown. On the other, a hungry contender insists the title is rightfully theirs.
FKA/MA
