Continued Unrest Forces Egyptian Football League To Prematurely End Its Season

Continuing unrest in Egypt has "forced the decision to bring the country's football league to a premature end," according to Hughes & Mazhar of the BBC. Al Ahly and Zamalek "have been declared champions as they were top of their respective nine-team groups; a format that was decided when the league resumed in February after a year's absence following the Port Said stadium disaster in which more than 70 people died." But after "five turbulent months of more football-related riots and bans on fans in continental club matches, the competition has now been cancelled because of the larger political problems and violence in the country." The decision was reached after a meeting of the Egyptian FA board, and after the approval of the majority of the 18 clubs in the league -- although Zamalek -- which was unbeaten, and Enppi were not in favor (BBC, 7/11).