July 7 – The Egyptian Premier League finishes its 2013-14 season tonight with Al Alhy playing for an eighth successive title against Smouha in front of an empty stadium. Zmalek face Petrojet in a third place play-off, also in front of an empty stadium.
The Egyptian Premier League has played the whole season in front of empty stadia, with fans following matches on television only.
The fact that they have completed the season is an achievement. Egypt’s turbulent political situation had become inextricably linked to club football in the country and the political activities of the fans who have been leaders and activists in the revolution and the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak and then President Mohammed Morsi.
The Egyptian League had been suspended after the Port Said disaster in February 2012 when 79 fans were killed and thousands reportedy injured in fighting at a match between Al Ahly and Al Masry. The league resumed in 2013 with matches played behind closed doors but televised live.
The 2013-14 season was the first time the Egyptian Premier League had adopted a two group format with the 22 team league being split into two groups of 11. The top two from each group play semi-finals and then a final for the championship, while the bottom two play off to avoid relegation.
Alhy coach Alaa Abdel-Sadeq had called for fans to be allowed back into the stadium to watch the final, but this will not happen tonight.
A solution is being sought to allow fans back into stadia. The Ultras fans groups of several leading clubs had issued a joint statement in March calling for police officers to be replaced by security firms. Egypt’s Ministry of the Interior has reportedly agreed, with the plan likely to implement next season.
The date for the start of the new Egyptian Premier League season has now been set for September 14. The Egyptian FA had originally suggested that the season start earlier to take account of a September 6 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Senegal.
The form of the Egyptian national team, traditionally a powerhouse on the African continent has, not surprisingly, slumped during the unrest in the country. Qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is viewed as another step on the road to football stability.
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