Egyptian Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi has said that the decision of whether to call off the domestic league is in the hands of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).

The EFA suspended all its activities for 15 days on 15 March over the coronavirus outbreak, before extending the suspension for another two weeks starting from 30 March, and then extending the suspension again until the end of April.

“The Egyptian government waited until the last minute to take the decisions related to sports activities, it happened gradually. Also, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has supported the suspension of football activities all over the world,” Sobhi told local media.

“Sports is an investment, the whole world has been affected economically by the current crisis, and my meeting with EFA chairman Amr El-Gnainy was to find solutions to all expected scenarios during the upcoming period.

“Cancelling the league is not my decision, it is the EFA’s decision. The ministry’s opinion is just consultative to provide solutions and suggestions,” he added.

According to the latest health ministry statement issued on Monday, Egypt has registered 125 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 2,190 cases and the death toll of 164 nationwide.

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