Friday March 29th, 2024
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Egyptian Football League Set to Resume Without Fans

After Egypt's withdrawal from the bid to host the 2017 African Nations Cup, the Egyptian Football Association has announced the return of the domestic football league, though it will, once again, be without fans in the stands.

Staff Writer

Following the tragic events last month where 22 fans lost their lives when police attempted to disperse large crowds trying to attend the match between Zamalek and ENPPI, the football league is set to resume behind closed doors next month, meaning that once again football in Egypt will be without fans.

On 8th February fans were only given a small gate covered with barbed wire as an entrance and once the numbers of people trying to get in swelled, security forces used tear gas, resulting in a deadly stampede. 

After 40 days of mourning, the the cabinet and the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) have agreed to form a committee including representitives of the interior and sports ministries to instigate the necessary safety procedures to make sure nothing like this will ever happen again, and have the league resume play.

Meanwhile, despite being shortlisted as one of the four countries to host the 2017 African Nations Cup, Egypt has withdrawn their submission leaving Algeria, Gabon and Ghana to compete. The decision is related to the general instability of Egyptian football now and in recent years.