Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Egypt’s football league resumes after almost two years | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55322160
Caption:

Egypt’s Al-Ahly’s football player, Ahmed Abdul Zaher shows the four-finger Rabaa sign as he celebrates after scoring during the African Champions League second leg final against South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in Cairo on November 10, 2013. (AFP)


Egypt's Al-Ahly's football player, Ahmed Abdul Zaher shows the four-finger Rabaa sign as he celebrates after scoring during the African Champions League second leg final against South Africa's Orlando Pirates in Cairo on November 10, 2013. (AFP)

Egypt’s Al-Ahly’s football player, Ahmed Abdul Zaher shows the four-finger Rabaa sign as he celebrates after scoring during the African Champions League second leg final against South Africa’s Orlando Pirates in Cairo on November 10, 2013. (AFP)

Cairo, AFP-Egypt’s football league resumed following repeated suspensions for almost two years after a deadly stadium riot and political unrest in the country.

The league kicked off with a match between Petrojet and Talae al-Geish, with both teams scoring a goal for a draw in a stadium empty of fans.

The matches will take place without fans in stadiums until the security situation is deemed stable.

The league was suspended after a February 2012 stadium riot in Port Said between supporters of local side Al-Masry Club and those from Cairo’s Al-Ahly in which more than 70 people were killed.

The league resumed for the 2012-2013 season, but was again suspended amid massive protests and the military’s overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi in July.

Egypt is still reeling from three years of unrest following the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak in 2011, and protests and militant attacks since Morsi was ousted.