A series of tense events marred the 2-2 draw at Military Academy Stadium, where Ahli coach Manuel Jose and defender Sayed Moawad were sent off.

"The edgy atmosphere inside and outside the pitch was caused by the referee. He was too nervous and he made others nervous as well," Al-Badri said after the game.

"He was not fit to take charge of a game of such importance. I wonder how the refereeing committee chose him."

Ill-fated

Al-Badri admitted that the defending champions conceded two abnormal goals in the crucial encounter.

"I don’t want to hold anyone responsible for the goals we conceded. They were ill-fated goals, but it happens in football," he added.

ENPPI's first goal was scored by Mostafa Gaafar, following Mohamed Samir's poor clearance in the box.

But a more shocking blunder by goalkeeper Ramzi Saleh allowed the petroleum side to score the second via Ahmed Al-Muhammadi.