Ahmed Diab, the president of the Egyptian Professional Clubs Association, has unveiled plans for a revamped league format for the upcoming season, signaling a departure from the current group-based structure.
Speaking on the program “Al-Layeb” aired on MBC Egypt, Diab stated, “There are discussions about the league adopting a different format in the upcoming season, moving away from the two-group league system.”
Elaborating further, he explained, “We proposed an idea at the beginning of the season inspired by the Belgian league system, where all teams play in a single round-robin format.
The top eight teams face each other while the remaining ten teams compete among themselves, ensuring a fair competition based on points.”
Diab emphasized the need for an exceptional year to synchronize the league’s start and end dates with other global football calendars, acknowledging that logistical challenges extend beyond the competition’s format, including player registration and other administrative matters currently outside the association’s jurisdiction.
“Next season’s league will certainly undergo significant changes due to the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA Club World Cup scheduled at the end of the season,” Diab affirmed, pointing out the need to adapt the league structure accordingly.
He concluded by addressing concerns about the existing two-group league system, stating, “The two-group format weakens the competition’s integrity.
Therefore, the most viable option is to adopt a league system akin to the Belgian model. If the league kicks off in mid-September, it will conclude by May, ensuring a streamlined and efficient season.”
