EGYPT TO ALLOW FANS BACK INTO STADIUMS AFTER NEARLY THREE YEARS
In a landmark decision, Egyptian football fans will once again be allowed to attend league matches, nearly three years after the tragic Port Said stadium disaster.
A statement from the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) confirmed:
“The Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Sports have reached an agreement to allow fans to attend league matches.”
This decision marks the end of a nationwide stadium ban imposed after the February 2012 tragedy in which 72 fans were killed during a violent clash between Al Masry and Al Ahly in Port Said.
Key Points of the New Measures:
-
10,000 fans will be permitted to attend matches held in Cairo and Alexandria.
-
5,000 fans will be allowed at matches in other cities.
-
However, matches involving the country’s six major clubs—Al Ahly, Zamalek, Al Ittihad, Ismaily, Al Masry, and Damanhur—will still be held behind closed doors, due to lingering security concerns.
Until now, only matches played by the Egyptian national team (the Pharaohs) were open to fans. This partial reopening of stadiums represents a cautious but hopeful step toward normalcy in Egyptian domestic football.
