Baladiyet El-Mahalla and Arab Contractors have joined El-Dakhelya as the three relegated clubs from the Egyptian Premier League this season.
The Contractors’ fate was confirmed after their 1-1 draw with relegation rivals Ismaily, which made it mathematically impossible to catch 15th-placed Pharco FC.
This marks Arab Contractors’ first relegation in 19 years, having been playing consistently in the top tier since 2005, managing to finish fourth in the 2019/20 season and fifth in the season before that.
The club also has a rich history as they have won the 1983 Egyptian Premier League title, three Egypt Cups, most recently in 2004, the 2005 Egypt Super Cup, and the three African Cup Winners Cups.
The team also have a number of big-name players like Amar Hamdy, Mahmoud Wadi, Mohamed Salem, Ahmed Alaa, Farouck Kabore, Joseph Ochaya, and Amr Marei and it will be interesting to see who they will manage to keep after their relegation.
On the other hand, Baladiyet El-Mahalla’s stay in the Egyptian Premier League lasted for only one season after winning promotion last season.
Their relegation was confirmed after suffering a late 2-1 defeat to El-Gouna, which ensured Ismaily’s and Pharco’s safety and presence for next season.
To make it even worse for Baladiyet El-Mahalla fans, they will be replaced next season by their city rivals Ghazl El-Mahalla, who had clinched their promotion earlier in May.
Joining Ghazl El-Mahalla in the top division next season are Petrojet and Haras El-Hodood, three clubs who have represented Egypt in the African club competition before.