Most Egyptian teams don’t want to complete league due to coronavirus

Most Egyptian teams don’t want to complete the domestic Premier League this season due to the coronavirus, chairman of Ittihad of Alexandria Mohamed Moselhy told Ahram Online on Friday.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) suspended all football activities on 15 March as a result of the pandemic, but has not released an official decision regarding the future of the league.

“Since the suspension of the league, the Egyptian Football Association has not held a meeting with the club presidents,” Moselhy told a local television programme on Friday.

“We need to hold a meeting with the EFA chairman to determine the situation of the tournament.

“All the presidents of the Egyptian Premier League clubs, including Ahly boss Mahmoud El-Khatib and Zamalek president Mortada Mansour, are discussing the status of the tournament via WhatsApp group,” he added.

Thirteen teams have asked for the current season to be cancelled, said Moselhy, naming some of those as Zamalek, Ismaily, Masry, Smouha, Tanta, and Wadi Degla.

Four teams — Ahly, Enppi, Pyramids FC and Arab Contractors – have not announced their preference, he said.

Moselhy said he has asked Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi to meet with him so the Alexadria boss can fill him in on the situation.

The initial suspension of football activities in March was set to last two weeks, but has subsequently been suspended.

Clubs have also halted training sessions.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country has topped 5,500, with 392 deaths.

Schools, universities, mosques and churches have been shuttered as part of a raft of public safety measures introduced to halt the spread of the disease, and a 9pm curfew is in place.