League Resumption Date Divides Egyptian Clubs

League Resumption Date Divides Egyptian Clubs

By Sampson Adedeji

Egyptian football clubs are divided over whether Egypt should resume the Premier League competition, with some supporting the planned resumption of the season while others have opposed it.
Egyptian clubs will resume training starting 20 June after they were given the green light by the government on Monday, paving the way for the league to resume on 25 July after a four-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Champions Ahly revealed that they welcome the Premier League’s resumption and that the team will follow all the precautionary measures announced by the government on Monday to ensure everyone's safety.

“The state took the right decision after adequate studies, especially as the government always puts safety over anything else,” Ahly’s executive director Mohamed Morgan told the club’s official website.

The Arab Contractors also welcomed the Ministry of Sports and Youth’s decision, the club’s president said shortly after the minister announced the decision in a press conference.

“We’ve been waiting for a long time for this decision. We are eager to preserve our position on the table.”

The Contractors are now in second place with 33 points after 18 games, behind leaders Ahly, who collected 49 points after playing 17 matches.

Pyramids FC announced on their official Twitter account early Tuesday that they will resume their training on 20 June.

Meanwhile, Cairo giants Zamalek refused to participate in the current season.

“This is considered governmental interference in football activity, and we won’t acquiesce to the sports minister’s unstudied decisions,” Zamalek’s president said on the club’s channel on Monday.

“I will not be responsible for any of my players getting infected. This decision is a mistake by the minister,” he added.

Other teams including Aswan SC and Wadi Degla have also refused to participate in the resumed Premier League.