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Egypt Football to Resume Next Week


El Zamalek's Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (L) fights for the ball with Al-Ahly's Ahmed Fathy during their Egyptian Premier League derby soccer match at Cairo Stadium (File)
El Zamalek's Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (L) fights for the ball with Al-Ahly's Ahmed Fathy during their Egyptian Premier League derby soccer match at Cairo Stadium (File)

Football officials in Egypt say the country's domestic leagues will resume next week as planned, after a nearly two-month suspension because of the political turmoil.

All professional domestic football activity has been on hold in Egypt since January 22, three days before the start of the pro-democracy protests that led to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarek.

But there was some disturbing violence last Saturday by fans of Cairo club Zamalek in an African Champions League match. Zamalek is likely to face sanctions after its fans raced onto the field in the final minutes of the home match against Tunisian club Africain.

Nine people were injured, and critics questioned the unusually light security at Cairo Stadium.

Egypt's Football Federation chief Samir Zaher said league matches in all grades would resume next Wednesday and "fans will be allowed to attend games normally."

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