CAIRO - An awaited decision reflects the courage of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which has been running the affairs of Egypt since last February, as well as the acting Premier and the Interior Ministry. The decision to resume the local soccer Premier League season nationwide Tuesday is a direct message to thugs and outlaws, who believe they can tarnish the image of the popular uprising that began on January 25. The decision by Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has more than one benefit, whether politically or economically; it benefits the game too. On April 5, the Egyptian Government decided that the competition's season would resume as previously planned tomorrow and ordered the formation of a panel of the authorities concerned to review security, after a pitch invasion during a match between Zamalek of Egypt and a Tunisian team in Cairo earlier this month. The panel, including representatives of the SCAF and the Interior Ministry, as well as the other authorities concerned, has reviewed the necessary security measures. Politically, the decision aims to prove to the world that Egypt is all right and that the Government is able to control things. What is more, such a decision could help restore the world's confidence in the country. The League, the nation's prestigious soccer competition, has been disrupted since the launching of the recent revolution, which toppled ex-president Hosni Mubarak. It was originally due to restart on April 13, before being postponed earlier this week after the pitch invasion in an African Champions League match in Cairo left nine people injured. Only five matches in two African club competitions have been allowed in the country since the mass demonstrations. On April 2, angry Zamalek supporters invaded the pitch at the Cairo Stadium and attacked the Algerian referee and players of Tunisian Club African, after a late demand for a penalty was turned down. If the League had been cancelled or postponed even longer, there would have been serious consequences, as football is the main source of revenues for many clubs such Al-Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaili, helping to fund other sports. If the remaining matches (15 games per team) are played, the revenue from ticket sales, broadcasting and advertising will greatly replenish the coffers of these clubs. Ahly's technical coach Manuel Jose is delighted that a decision has been taken to resume the League. "This is a good decision, as the League is like a factory that represents a source of income for many coaches, players and workers,” he said. Egypt's captain, Ahmed Hassan, is also delighted. "This decision will contribute to the stability of the country, as it will give people a greater sense of security and safety." He doesn't think that the decision will cause chaos, leading to more riots like the one that spoiled the Zamalek-Africain clash. “Mutual respect must prevail between the police and the people. The police must take serious action if violent fans start rioting, in order to protect the peaceful fans in the stadiums. Hassan Saqr, the head of the governmental National Sports Council, believes there is a need to get local football up and running again. "Soccer reflects the wellbeing of any country and, after the recent, unpleasant incident in Cairo Stadium, we need to get the season underway once again, to prove that the chaos will not destabilise Egypt," he says. "So if we decided to cancel the Premier League, as some people want, we would basically be telling the thugs that they have achieved their goal. Besides, many people rely on football for their bread and butter.” Essam Abdel-Moneim, a soccer expert and the ex-president of the Egyptian Football Association, is also very happy about this courageous decision. "The decision challenges officials to prove that they can handle the security and safety of the country, as this is considered to be the beginning of a return to normality in Egypt," he stresses. “Why not play the matches without the fans to take the heat off the security forces?” Shawqi Ghareeb, the assistant national team coach, underlines the importance of the decision. "If the League starts again, it will also raise the standard of the national team players," he says, adding that the stoppage may well have been to blame for the Pharaohs losing their crucial African Cup of Nations match in South Africa last month. Samir Zaher, the president of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), says that the letter sent by the Ministry of Interior last week to Premier League clubs, holding them responsibility for security at the games, is something new that the clubs aren't used to. "It's difficult for the clubs to ensure security, as we're used to the Ministry of Interior being responsible for this," he adds.
