The media personality Khaled Al-Ghandour stated that Hani Abu Rida, the president of the Football Association, requested Oscar Ruiz, the head of the referees committee, to start communicating with European associations to nominate "elite" referees for managing upcoming major matches, specifically the Al Ahly vs Pyramids match on April 27, and the derby against Zamalek at the beginning of May.

Al-Ghandour added on his program "Stad Al-Mehwar" that the federation has sent official letters to 10 European federations to nominate a refereeing team from the approved international lists for 2025 to officiate the top match between Al-Ahly and Zamalek in the league.

This move comes in response to an official request from Al Ahly Club, which insisted on having its major matches officiated by top-tier European refereeing teams.

Al Ahly is currently preparing to face Ceramica Cleopatra next Tuesday in the first round of the title-deciding stage of the Egyptian Premier League.