Al-Ahly boycott Egyptian football after Al-Masry receive two year ban

By David Gold

March 29 – Al-Ahly have vowed to boycott Egyptian football in protest at the decision of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to ban Al-Masry from the game for two years.

Al-Masry were handed the suspension as a result of the violence that followed a game between the two sides in Port Said at the start of February.

Fans at Al-Masry’s home ground poured onto the pitch at the end and attacked players and opposing supporters in some of the most horrific violence seen on a football pitch for years.

At least 74 people are believed to have lost their lives as a result of the massacre, which led to the suspension of the Egyptian Premier League, as well as the resignation of the entire EFA board.

The current interim EFA board recently announced plans for a friendly tournament to take place instead of a resumption of the league season, though it is unclear whether this will still go ahead.

Egypt’s national team are fighting on three fronts at present – for qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, the Brazil 2014 World Cup and for success at this summer’s Olympic Games in London.

That adds time pressures to any new schedule for the Egyptian league season, or any friendly tournament arranged in its place.

Whatever happens, Al-Ahly have vowed to boycott domestic football as a result of what they labelled as an unjust decision to only suspend Al-Masry for two years.

Following the announcement of the ban, there was more violence in Port Said between their fans and police, which led to the death of a 13-year-old boy.

“We believe that this was nor a fair nor just decision and we have refused these decisions completely,” Al-Ahly Board member Khaled Mortagy told the BBC.

“I don’t think any league or national competition without Al-Ahly would make anyone excited about sponsoring such an activity,” Mortagy said about the country’s most successful club.

The club have also said on their website that they are boycotting all EFA organised events “until further notice”.

Al-Ahly also suggested that they would take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as they seek justice, alleging that their hosts’ failure to provide adequate security led to the chaos.

The Egyptian courts are also currently prosecuting 75 people claimed to be involved with the violence last month.

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