Egypt’s football powerhouse Ahly have decided not to play any sport on 1 February every year to commemorate the 2012 Port Said tragedy, the club said on Saturday.

“The club sent a letter to all sports federations to ask for the postponement of any sports activities scheduled for 1 February every year,” Ahly said in a brief statement on their official website.

“The club’s board of directors has declared 1 February as a Martyrs' Day.”

More than 70 Ahly fans died when they were attacked by the home fans of Masry following the end of an ill-tempered Egyptian Premier League game in coastal city Port Said last year.

The disaster sent shockwaves across Egypt and forced the cancellation of last season’s league competition.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has failed to hold this season’s competition on several occasions due to lingering security concerns in the country but eventually decided to start it on 2 February.

Matches in the first half of the season will be played behind closed doors at military-owned stadiums.

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