Egypt’s football league could resume mid-July: EFA’s vice president

The Egyptian Premier League season could be resumed by mid-July, according to Egyptian Football Association’s (EFA) vice president Gamal Mohamed Ali, who revealed that EFA has already sent a plan for resuming the league to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Football in Egypt has been suspended since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We sent the league’s file to Ministry of Youth and Sports, and we are awaiting the country’s decision regarding resuming football activities,” Ali told ON Time Sports TV channel Tuesday night.

Egypt has recently eased coronavirus restrictions, but football officials were not given a timeframe on when they can restart the domestic league.

With almost 150 matches left to play in the league, head of EFA’s competitions committee Hossam El-Zanati recently said that resuming the season would face several obstacles.

According to Ali, the season needs just two months to be completed.

“Trainings will return by the start or mid-June, while the league will be resumed by mid-July according to our plan,” he explained.

“There would be precautionary measures in place once the competition is resumed,” he added.

Egyptian football clubs halted training amid the coronavirus scare, asking players to stay fit at home until further notice.

Defending champions Ahly are the overwhelming favourites to win a fifth straight title as they top the table with 49 points, 16 ahead of nearest challengers Arab Contractors, who have played one game more than Ahly.

According to the latest health ministry statement issued Tuesday, Egypt registered 260 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 5,042 cases, with a death toll of 359 nationwide.