Egyptian Premier League to be back behind closed doors in two weeks: PM

Mahmoud Elassal , Friday 13 Feb 2015

The Egyptian Premier League games were suspended after 20 people died at a football match in Cairo on Sunday

Ibrahim Mahlab
Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab speaks during a press conference in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 (Photo: AP)

Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab has said that the Egyptian Premier League will resume in two weeks without the attendance of fans, after 20 Zamalek fans were killed last Sunday outside a Cairo stadium.

"We will hold a meeting with the Egyptian Football Association to announce the return of  Premier League games which will be in two weeks," Mahlab was quoted as saying during an interview with Emirati TV channel Dubai.

"The Premier League will be back soon as it affects a huge number of the Egyptian people," he added.

Egypt’s cabinet suspended the league on Monday in the wake of the Air Defence Stadium violence, following a meeting between Mahlab and the interior, sports and health ministers.

According to the health ministry, 20 people died after clashes occurred between the police and Zamalek supporters before a league match with ENPPI.

"We suspended the league to have enough time to evaluate the situation as there is a plot to destabilise the Egyptian state," the prime minister concluded.

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