Egyptian Football Association (EFA) president Hani Abou Reida said the ongoing crowd ban in domestic football is unlikely to be lifted soon as tensions run high in the Premier League. There were signs the ban could be removed soon after the football-mad supporters were widely praised by local media for ruly behavior during Zamalek's African Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns and Egypt's World Cup qualifier against Ghana last month However, tensions boiled over last Sunday when Zamalek threatened to withdraw from the league in protest at a dubious penalty awarded to their arch rivals Ahly in a game against Maqassa Ismaily also made a similar threat to quit and several other clubs expressed their displeasure over refereeing in the premier domestic competition. "The return of fans is impossible as long as such high tensions remain," EFA chairman Hani Abou Reida told reporters on Wednesday. "How can we request that the ban be lifted amid such a tense atmosphere? Unfortunately, ordinary people are more responsible than those who are running football in this country." Any lifting of the ban is contingent on the approval of Egypt's interior ministry. Egypt banned crowds from football matches after the deadly Port Said stadium disaster in February 2012 when over 70 Ahly fans were killed in post-match violence. In February 2015, the ban was partially lifted but was then immediately re-imposed after another deadly incident when 20 Zamalek fans died in a stampede at Cairo's Air Defence stadium. Since then, fans have only been allowed to attend continental matches for Egyptian clubs and international games for the national team. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
