In a fiery video clip, veteran broadcaster Medhat Shalabi has launched a scathing attack on Egyptian giants Al Ahly, labelling the club’s recent performance a “complete farce” and urging the board to study the example of Saudi side Al Ahli Jeddah. Speaking with characteristic passion, Shalabi argued that Al Ahly’s on-field results and off-field decisions have reached a crisis point, with fans and observers alike losing faith in the management’s ability to steer the club back to its traditional standards of excellence. He pointed to Al Ahli Jeddah as a model of modern, ambitious football governance that prioritises both domestic dominance and continental competitiveness. Shalabi’s comments have ignited a fresh debate among Red Devils supporters, who have long prided themselves on their club’s rich heritage and unrivalled trophy collection. Many have taken to social media to echo his concerns, calling for immediate reforms in player recruitment, coaching strategies and strategic planning. Others, while acknowledging the current struggles, warn against hasty changes that could further disrupt the club’s delicate balance. Al Ahly’s board has yet to respond publicly to Shalabi’s critique, but sources close to the club suggest that internal discussions are underway to address the issues raised. With the season entering its decisive phase, stakeholders are watching closely to see whether Al Ahly can recover its status as Egypt’s pre-eminent football powerhouse or whether deeper structural changes will be required to recapture past glories (original) (raw)
ِAhly training - Al Ahly (X)
Football pundit Medhat Shalabi has unleashed a scathing critique of Al Ahly after Tuesday’s Egyptian Premier League clash with Ceramica Cleopatra.
In the dying seconds, a Ceramica Cleopatra defender handled the ball inside the box, yet the referee, after consulting VAR, refused to award a penalty.
The referee’s decision sparked fury among Al Ahly’s players and coaching staff, who rushed to protest vehemently after the final whistle. Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy was sent off, while others were shown yellow cards.
In a televised outburst, Shalabi declared, “I speak in a way that pleases God, and I swear by God—my head is not filled with Al Ahly or Zamalek or any club whatsoever, because we will meet God.”
“What followed the Al Ahly–Ceramica match was a farce,” he stated. “After the final whistle, board member Sayed Abdel Hafiz descended from the main stand onto the pitch to protest in some form, and that has never happened in Al Ahly’s history; there is a football director who can speak.”
“Then Adel Mostafa rushed in; I felt afraid. Then El-Shenawy charged forward, and some claimed the referee hurled insults… It was an unbecoming spectacle.”
“The league is a product that generates revenue,” he explained. “When it is marketed in this manner, the value of that product is undermined.”
Medhat Shalabi then shifted the focus to the Saudi League, drawing a contrast: “Today’s Al-Ahli Jeddah match saw the same scenario: a penalty call was reviewed and the referee said no. When the final whistle blew, did the players charge the referee? Did police need to step in for protection?”
The match finished 1–1, and after the final whistle Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle walked over, smiled, and spoke to the official without incident.
Yaisle briefly placed his hand on the referee’s shoulder, the official removed it, and the conversation remained calm. No players swarmed the referee, no security forces intervened, and no official left the dugout. That, Shalabi stressed, is the professional standard we should expect.
He concluded, “What happened undermines the Egyptian league. If I were commenting on the match, I would say it was a penalty, but that should not distract us from the real issues.”
He concluded: “At the start of the season, after Al Ahly’s numerous signings, I stated that they would be the strongest side; therefore, it is unacceptable for them to fall behind by a goal against Ceramica, then draw, while their opponents squandered two clear-cut chances, only for the Red Devils to come crying about a penalty.”
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