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Egypt to resume soccer league matches, but without fans' presence

Xinhua, February 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Egypt's cabinet on Wednesday approved the resumption of soccer league matches next month, but without the presence of fans.

The matches were suspended in the aftermath of the death on Feb. 8 of 19 people outside a soccer stadium east of Cairo, ahead of a game between Egyptian Premier League clubs Zamalek and ENPPI at the Air Defense Stadium.

That match was opened to the public for the first time between two domestic teams since the 2012 stadium riots in Port Said, which left more than 70 people dead.

In the latest deaths, the government blamed spectators without tickets for initiating clashes with police forces, as they attempted to enter the stadium without going through security inspection.

The soccer league matches will resume on March 20 after the 40-day mourning period, said the cabinet in a statement.

Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab ordered the formation of a tripartite committee composed of the interior ministry, the youth ministry and the Football Association to finalize the procedures of the resumption of league matches. Endit