The coastal club’s board announced withdrawing the first team from the Egyptian Premier League in protest over refereeing, following a 1-0 defeat at Gaish.

“There is no backing down on the decision to forfeit the league. We would only consider that if the FA apologized to us,” Ismaili vice-chairman Hammad Moussa told FilGoal.com.

أخبار متعلقة:

المغرب تستحوذ على لقبي ماراثون سان سيلفستري بإسبانيا

“The FA’s board will also have to promise us that they will relinquish their double-faced behavior.”

Ismaili were furious with referee Fahim Omar in the wake of their Gaish loss, which came through a 77th penalty by Ghanaian Ernest Papa Arko.

The defeat almost kicked the Dervishes out of the title race with Zamalek and Ahli.

Fourth division

Meanwhile, the FA doubted the seriousness of Ismaili’s threat, given the ramifications of the potential withdrawal.

“Ismaili have yet to make an official notification about their withdrawal and I think it was just an emotional declaration, nothing more,” FA chief executive Ihab Saleh said.

“I don’t think they will implement such a move because the sanctions will be severe.

“A withdrawal would cost a club EGP 300,000 plus a one-year ban from domestic competitions. After that they shall start from the lowest division, which is the fourth.”

Saleh also insisted that referee Omar was ‘not at fault’ during the Gaish game.