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Egyptian football 'collapsing', says FA chairman The Egyptian Football Association chairman is frustrated that authorities have so far declined to give him the go-ahead to hold this season's Premier League
Egyptian Football Association (EFA) chairman Gamal Allam has demanded an "instant response" from authorities over the fate of this season's Premier League, saying that Egyptian football is "collapsing". The EFA, which announced on Sunday the new season would start on 30 December, revealed that the military will be responsible for securing Premier League games, which should be played behind closed doors. However, Egypt's Defence Ministry sent a letter to the EFA on Tuesday to inform them that its stadiums are not ready to host the league games, dealing a blow to persistent efforts to kick-start the competition that was cancelled last season in the wake of February's Port Said disaster. "I hope there will be a dialogue between me and authorities. I hope someone will answer me: the defence ministry, the interior ministry, the government or president Mohamed Morsi," Allam said in a television interview. "Egyptian football is collapsing because authorities are ignoring it. They are not responding to our letters and enquiries." The EFA had already set three previous dates for possible league start but the interior ministry's constant refusal to give them the go-ahead proved a stumbling block. Many clubs have complained about league delay, citing persistent financial problems which forced many of them to mull loaning out players or selling them to rich Arab Gulf clubs. Zamalek winger Mahmoud Abdel-Razek 'Shikabala' is the most high-profile Egyptian player to join an Arab Gulf club, having moved to UAE side Al-Wasl last summer. Port Said's deadly crowd riots, which left over 70 fans killed following an ill-tempered league game between Masry and Ahly, sent shockwaves across the country and led to an indefinite suspension of domestic football. Cairo giants Zamalek and Ahly were allowed to play in the African Champions League though, with the latter winning a record-extending seventh title last month following a 3-2 aggregate victory over Tunisia's Esperance. "Cancelling the league this season will be our last option," Allam added. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)