Egypt, suspended championship ‘sine die’

The Egyptian football federation has decided to postpone the resumption of the championship indefinitely because it has not yet had the go-ahead for security services. According to a statement by the highest football authority, the Interior Ministry has so far not provided the required guarantees. The start of the championship was scheduled for September 17th. All the footballing activities in the country were blocked after the tragedy of February 1st at the Port Said stadium.

PORT SAID MASSACRE –On the occasion of the violence that broke out at the end of the championship match between the local team, Al Masri, and Al Ahli, a formation from Cairo, at least 73 people lost their lives, in addition to hundreds injured. The clashes had exploded for football reasons, after an invasion of the field, following the final whistle. El Alhi’s ultras have always accused the security forces of not having prevented what turned out to be the worst tragedy in Egyptian football and now claim that the championship cannot resume until those responsible are condemned. In September, the team’s supporters also stormed the headquarters of the football federation to protest against the resumption of the championship.

(October 15, 2012)