All quiet as Egypt league resumes

Violence marred Zamalek’s Champions League game with Club Africain

The resumption of the Egyptian league after a two-month suspension passed without any major incidents at the five games played on Wednesday.

The league had been suspended on 4 February, shortly after the start of the civil unrest that saw Hosni Mubarak ousted from power.

The resumption was a challenge for the Egyptian police amid fears of a repeat of the violence that marred the recent African Champions League game in Cairo between Zamalek and Tunisia’s Club Africain.

The only slight problem occurred as Ismaili drew 1-1 with visitors Petrojet as smoke covered the pitch from flares set off by fans causing the players to struggle with vision.

Ismaili may face a fine from the Egypt Football Association who had promised the day before the resumption of the competition to punish any club whose fans misbehaved and therefore threatened the security of the match.

In the other games yesterday defending champions Al Ahly beat Ittihad Police 2-1, Gouna beat Enppi 2-1, Semouha defeated Military Production 3-2 and Masri drew with Al Geish 1-1.

The remaining three games take place on Thursday with league leaders Zamalek taking on Harras Harras al-Hadoud, Wadi Degla gainst Arab Contractors and Ittihad of Alexandria will face Makasa.

Striker Ahmed ‘Mido’ Hossam is tipped to make his first league appearance for Zamalek since he signed for them in January.

Despite being top of the table Zamalek had faced a mass exodus after 12 star players led by goalkeeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed appealed to the EFA to cancel their contracts with because of the financial deficit of the club.

The club had threatened to continue the league with the junior players but after some negotiation the players apologized and will continue appearing for the club.