The domestic football fate remains uncertain after the Egyptian government declined to discuss the possibility of resuming the Premier League in its meeting on Wednesday while FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he hoped the competition would kick-start soon. Egypt's cabinet was due to decide whether to resume the premier domestic competition but eventually opted to put football discussions on hold, focusing on more pressing issues such as the country's airstrikes on Islamic State group in Libya after 20 Egyptian Christians were beheaded by the militants. "I will do my best to make sure the league is resumed," said sports minister Khaled Abdel-Aziz, who is spearheading efforts to coax authorities into lifting the league suspension they had imposed following the death of 20 Zamalek fans last week. The supporters died of stampede after being tear-gassed by security forces before an Egyptian Premier League game between Zamalek and ENPPI at the army-owned Air Defence Stadium in Cairo. Security forces attempted to disperse the crowd, claiming that they did not have tickets. Ultras White Knights, Zamalek's main fan group, say the event was premeditated, blaming new security measures that included a "metal cage" through which fans had to walk to reach the entrance to the stadium. Two of the last three Premier League seasons were cancelled. The competition was called off in 2012 in the wake of Egypt's worst-ever football tragedy, which left more than 70 Ahly fans dead in Port Said. The following season was also cancelled just before the final playoff following the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 after mass protests against his one-year rule. A league crowd ban that has been in place since the Port Said disaster was partially lifted early this month but the latest deadly incident will lead to another lengthy ban on supporters, officials have said. Blatter support In a letter he sent to the Egyptian Football Association, Blatter said resuming football is crucial to uniting Egyptians. "Further to my message of condolence for last week's tragic events, I would like to express my support for football to continue to be played in Egypt at this difficult time, not only for the good of the Egyptian footballing community but for the entire Egyptian population," he said. "As you know, football is played in troubled regions all over the world and I believe this is very important to bring the local people hope as well as to build bridges and help to heal divisions. Blatter also revealed that FIFA will discuss a request from Hani Abou-Reida, the only Egyptian member of the world governing body's executive committee, to pay "donations" to the families of the victims. "The request has been forwarded to the FIFA Finance Committee for decision at its next meeting." (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/123380.aspx
