By David Gold
March 12 – The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has officially decided to cancel the country’s Premier League following the disaster last month which left dozens dead after a match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly.
The competition was indefinitely suspended following that incident and in its place will be a friendly tournament known as the ‘Martyrs Cup’.
The new cup will be played without spectators able to attend games, and will include all league teams with the exception of Al-Masry.
The team from Port Said were suspended after fans ran onto their pitch after they had beaten Al-Ahly and attacked visiting players and supporters, leading to the deaths of 74 people.
The draw for the new cup competition will be held a week before the tournament begins on March 29, running to May 18.
The 18 teams will be divided into two groups and play each other once, before the top two sides from both sections progress to a semi-final.
“This tournament is aimed at lessening the effects of the league’s cancellation on the clubs and sponsors,” EFA spokesman Azmy Megahed told Ahram Sport.
“Some clubs initially objected to the proposal to cancel the league but they eventually accepted it after the interior ministry said it would not secure the matches.”
The decision has prompted criticism from the coach of El-Geish, Farouk Ga’afar (pictured), who said that it was bad for Egypt’s reputation.
“Who took the decision to cancel the league season?” Ga’afar told the Modern Sports channel.
“People sitting in cafes could make a better decision.
“I demand the resumption of the competition.
“I think it is really bad for Egypt’s reputation to hold a so-called friendly tournament.
“Football is a big business and cancelling the competition will cost clubs, players, media and all the people involved in it a lot of money.”
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