The Cairo derby is traditionally assigned to foreign referees as to avoid any accusations of officials' bias.

Referees' committee head Gamal Al-Ghandour has recently suggested that there is no need to appoint a foreign referee because the match won't affect the title race.

"A foreign referee must take charge of the game due to its sensitivity," a Zamalek official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told FilGoal.com on Saturday.

"The fact that Zamalek lost hopes of competing for the Egyptian League title should make no difference."

Ahli are close to securing their fourth successive league triumph as they lie on top of the table with 58 points, a massive 17 clear of fifth-placed Zamalek.