"The EFA have previously sent an invitation to Ismaili to take part in the match but they didn't reply, so we considered it as a refusal," EFA general secretary Salah Hosni told FilGoal.com.

"We then set our sights on Al-Gaish and Harras Al-Hodoud but received a letter from Ismaili afterwards confirming their intention to participate in the match.

"We warned Ismaili chairman Yehia Al-Koumi that his club will be fined in case they don't participate, because they have officially decided to play," he added.

Ahli, who clinched the domestic double last season, were due to play against Zamalek, who finished runners-up in the Egyptian League.

However, Zamalek decided not to take part at the request of French coach Henri Michel, who believed that the participation would hamper the club's pre-season training camp.

Al-Gaish were then approached but also pulled out before Al-Hodoud followed in their footsteps.

"The match is important and needs special preparation program but we don't have time," Al-Hodoud chairman Abdul-Rahim Mohamed told FilGoal.com.

Ismaili, who defeated Ahli twice last season before losing to the Red Devils in the cup semi-final, were third in the league last season.