Egypt's Football Association Postpones Resumption Of Season Indefinitely

The Egyptian FA has "decided to delay the rest of the domestic season indefinitely" due to a lack of  security guarantees by the government in the wake of February's Port Said tragedy, according to AL-JAZEERA. The Egyptian FA said in a statement on its website: "We asked the ministry of interior for the authorisation, but we didn’t receive any response." The Egyptian league was due to resume Wednesday, but some supporters of Cairo club al-Ahly's, known as ultras, "have been calling for a suspension until verdicts are heard in the trial of 73 defendants accused of carrying out the killings" (AL-JAZEERA, 10/16). ALARABIYA.net noted that news reports quoted Egyptian Football Federation Head Mahmoud al-Shamy as saying that the new season "might be postponed" until Oct. 31, a statement "he later denied." Sports Minister Al-Emary Farouq said that several competing clubs "had contacted him about resuming the competitions." The financial losses that have resulted are "negatively affecting these teams" (ALARABIYA.net, 10/15). INSIDEWORLDFOOTBALL.biz's Andrew Warshaw noted many domestic clubs were "relying on the resumption of the league to resolve financial difficulties" (INSIDEWORLDFOOTBALL.biz, 10/16).

STAYING THE COURSE: In Cairo, Ahmed Abd El Rasoul reported that despite Monday’s decision to postpone the start of the Egyptian Premier League season, Egypt Coach Bob Bradley is "sticking with his mission to prepare the Pharaohs." Bradley said, “Despite the recent difficulties, I am sticking with my job, especially as the players are committed and enthusiastic, and they really are getting better. If the Egyptian league doesn't return, it will not be good for us, but I have other solutions for that problem" (AHRAM.org.eg, 10/15).