“The match will take place on May 24th as initially planned, and foreign referees will officiate it,” he told Al-Hayat TV.

FA president Samir Zaher had implied beforehand the eagerly-anticipated play-off might be put off upon the request of Egypt’s technical staff.

Head coach Hassan Shehata was seeking to give the internationals from Ahli and Ismaili enough rest before the pharaohs’ imminent preparation camp ahead of their Algerian trip in the World Cup qualifying stage.

Some reports suggested the league decider will be held in June, but eventually no changes were made.