Petrol Asyut condemn move to Borg El Arab Stadium for home matches

Petrol Asyut have criticised the decision to switch their home fixtures to Borg El Arab Stadium, saying the club has been left with “two bitter choices” after being denied the chance to play in Asyut in front of their supporters.

The Egyptian Professional Clubs Association has confirmed that all of Petrol Asyut’s matches in the first phase of the Egyptian Premier League, as well as their Egypt Capital Cup group-stage games, will be played at Borg El Arab Stadium instead of Asyut Cement Stadium. The fixtures will remain on their previously scheduled dates and at the same kick-off times.

The decision was reportedly taken because Asyut Cement Stadium does not currently meet the required conditions to host Egyptian Premier League matches.

In a statement, Petrol Asyut said the decision had caused widespread anger across Upper Egypt and accused the authorities of depriving the club of an established right to represent the region on home soil.

“To the proud supporters of Upper Egypt and the loyal people of Asyut, these words come from a place of grief and injustice affecting Petrol Asyut, the representative of the entire region, following the clear intransigence that has denied the club its basic right to play at home in front of its supporters,” the statement said.

“A large section of Upper Egypt is living through a state of sadness and anger because it is marginalised and denied the simplest legitimate sporting rights to represent the region in a fitting manner after the historic promotion to the Premier League.”

The club said it had been informed of the change unexpectedly on the Wednesday evening, 48 hours before a scheduled match, and claimed the decision had added to the financial and logistical pressure already facing the team.

“On Wednesday evening, just 48 hours before the match, we were surprised by unexpected decisions that increased the burdens placed on the club,” Petrol Asyut said.

The club added that its management had secured all the necessary technical approvals for broadcasting and video technology at stadiums in the governorate.

“Despite preparing for the anticipated match, the club is being forced to play outside Asyut governorate, at great cost and after long journeys, particularly given that there is no stadium in Upper Egypt, from Beni Suef to Aswan, that has been fully approved to host these competitions,” the statement continued.

Petrol Asyut said it now faced a difficult choice between accepting the move and continuing to compete despite the additional hardship, or taking stronger action to protect the club’s interests.

“Now we state clearly that the club’s management faces two bitter choices: either accept the challenge of playing away from home and endure this great hardship in order to continue the team’s journey, or take other decisive decisions that preserve the rights of the institution,” it said.

The club also argued that Upper Egypt should not be treated differently from other regions and warned that the issue could provoke further anger among supporters and former figures connected with the club.

“Upper Egypt is not less important than any other region, and our right to represent our supporters is a red line,” the statement said. “Our large fanbase and our prominent figures will not accept Asyut remaining hostage to administrative and logistical intransigence.”

Petrol Asyut claimed that both Petrol Asyut Stadium and Asyut Cement Stadium had hosted more than 100 Egyptian Premier League matches in previous years, questioning why they were now being rejected.

The club have returned to the Egyptian Premier League after a 16-year absence. This will be their fourth season in the top flight.

Petrol Asyut first reached the Premier League in the 2006-07 season but were relegated during that campaign. They returned in 2008-09 and survived relegation, before going down in the 2009-10 season. That was their most recent top-flight campaign before this season’s promotion.

Petrol Asyut are due to begin their new campaign on Saturday at 17:00 at Borg El Arab Stadium in a fixture involving Montakhab El-Suez and Petrojet.