Zamalek Edge PetroIT Asyut 1-0 as Hosts File Referee Protest

Zamalek beat PetroIT Asyut 1-0 in the Egyptian Premier League's seventh round, with the hosts announcing a formal protest against the match referee.

• Ahmed Sherif scored the only goal in the 26th minute as Zamalek won 1-0 at Borg El-Arab Stadium, reaching 16 points in third place.
• Zamalek fans chanted against club board head Hussein Labib and referees committee head Essam Abdel Fattah during the match.
• PetroIT Asyut announced a formal protest against referee Hamada El-Qalawi after goalkeeper Mohamed Awad broke Ahmed Khaled's leg and severed his tendon.
• Coach Moataz Gamal gave players Wednesday off as Zamalek prepared for their CAF Champions League return leg against Rwanda's Army FC on Saturday.
• Zamalek announced goalkeeper Mohamed Awad will travel to Alexandria on Wednesday to visit Ahmed Khaled, stressing the injury was unintentional.
• Zamalek fans chanted against player Ahmed Fotouh during the PetroIT Asyut match, continuing their protests.
• Zamalek fans displayed a banner reading 'We will not throw in the towel' during the match.
• Ahmed Khaled accused referee Hamada El-Qalawy of bias and of refusing to review his collision with Mohamed Awad via VAR.
• Khaled said he will miss three months awaiting surgery, that Awad repeatedly checked on him, and that he bears no ill will toward the goalkeeper.