Egypt PM Suspends Sports Minister’s Decision On Ahly’s Board

Egyptian interim Prime Minster Hazem El-Beblawy suspended the decision of the sports minister to cancel the extension of Ahly’s board, Egyptian state television said.

“According to the cabinet affairs as well as the new constitution the decision of sports minister to cancel the extension of Ahly’s board has been suspended,” said a statement from the prime minster’s office late on Saturday.

Earlier on Saturday, Egyptian Sports Minister Taher Abouzeid temporarily appointed a new board for the Cairo giants.

Ahly’s board elections were scheduled to take place last May, but the former sports minister extended the duration of the current board, headed by Hassan Hamdy, due to the country’s instability.

The relationship between Abouzeid and Hamdy’s board grew tense recently after Ahly’s board decided to sell its TV rights individually, refusing to join other Egyptian clubs’ collective deal.

However, Egypt’s prime minster decided to suspended Abouzeid’s decision to discuss if it adheres to the new constitution.

“The prime minister will discuss Ahly’s board cancelation to determine its situation based on the new constitution,” the statement from the prime minister’s office said.

The new Egyptian constitution orders public clubs to follow international criteria, while the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) banned government interference in the teams’ affairs.

Meanwhile, Ahly’s management lodged a complaint with Egypt’s president, the Olympic committee and FIFA against the sports minister, describing the government as getting involved in the club’s affairs.

Ahly’s complaint to FIFA: “We are informing you that the sports minister in Egypt decided to suspend the management board that is what we mentioned in the last meeting with you about the government interference in the club’s affairs. Hereby we are waiting for your support, as the Egyptian Football Association won’t help us because it’s controlled by the sports minister.”

One member of the board canceled by the sports minister praised the move by the prime minister.

“We thank the prime minster for this great decision,” Ahly board member Khaled Mortagy told national television.

“I ask officials to choose the right time to announce such decision, so I admire the prime minster’s announcement,” he added.

Source : Ahram