Hundreds of Egyptian footballers protested Monday in front of sports ministry headquarters to demand the resumption of domestic soccer activities after a months-long stoppage.

Veteran Zamalek midfielder Ahmed Hassan led the demonstration, alongside Haras El-Hodoud’s Ahmed Eid Abdel-Malek and Ahmed Abdel-Ghany; ENPPI goalie Mohamed Abdel-Monsif; Ahly’s Ahmed Shedid Qenawi; and many others, including former players Ahmed Shobier and Gamal Abdel-Hamid.

"Football helps more than five million Egyptians earn their livings; it’s important that it resume,” former Ahly and Belgium Anderlucht star Hassan told the press Monday.

All domestic football competitions were suspended in the wake of February's infamous Port Said disaster, which left over 70 football fans dead following an ill-tempered league match between Ahly and Masry.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced that the new Premier League season would kick off on 17 October, while Ahly's hardcore supporters – the 'Ultras Ahlawy' – insisted they would not allow football activities to resume unless the tragedy's perpetrators were brought to justice.

"Resumption of the league doesn’t contradict with justice," Abdel-Malek said. "Martyrs' rights will not be sacrificed; Egypt is capable of securing football activities."

Last month, the EFA insisted on holding a Super Cup game between Ahly and ENPPI – that ended 2-1 for the reds – despite security concerns and protests by fans at Alexandria's Army Stadium.

As a response, the Ultras Ahlawy and Ultras Devils have announced plans for a Tuesday march to the sports ministry to voice opposition to the resumption of the Premier League, stressing that they "have no problem with resuming second and third division competitions."

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