Egypt suspends all football in the country

Egypt suspends all football in the country

Published Feb. 4, 2011 6:24 p.m. ET

The Egyptian Football Association suspended the country's football league indefinitely on Friday and said it hoped for the ''return of stability'' to the violence-hit nation.

In a statement, the EFA said it had decided to postpone league games across all four of its professional divisions, as well as youth and junior competitions, until calm was restored.

The EFA postponed the 16th round of Egypt's Premier League last week because of anti-government protests in Cairo and other cities.

Protesters have this week stepped up their campaign to oust President Hosni Mubarak after a near 30-year authoritarian reign, with pro-Mubarak and anti-Mubarak groups fighting street battles in the capital city. Dozens have been killed since the protests began.

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On Monday, the United States canceled a friendly international against Egypt that had been scheduled for next Wednesday.

Egypt's football association confirmed the Feb. 9 game at the Cairo International Stadium would not go ahead, adding it would consult with the U.S. federation to reschedule the match at a later date.

The second leg of Cairo club Zamalek's African Champions League qualifying tie against Ulinzi of Kenya - scheduled for Cairo on Feb. 13 - is also in doubt.

Zamalek won the first leg match 4-0 on Saturday but the team was then stranded in Kenya because of the violence at home. Reports say Zamalek has requested permission from the African Football Confederation to play the game in Libya.

The EFA's original decision to postpone round 16 league games came after a request from security authorities in Egypt following the nationwide demonstrations.

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