Egypt training camp cancelled due to political turmoil

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) cancels a training camp for the national team due to ongoing political turmoil in the country

Egypt's training camp, which was due to take place from 28 November to 5 December, was cancelled due to the ongoing political unrest.
The Pharaohs were scheduled to play two friendly games during camp, but their plans were ruined by a new wave of demonstrations sweeping Egypt after the police violently disbanded a sit-in in Tahrir Square last Saturday. The ensuing clashes in Tahrir and several governorates - including Alexandria, Mansoura and Suez - left around 40 dead and scores injured.
“Unstable circumstances in Egypt have prompted Nigeria, Uganda, Libya, Kenya, Botswana and Sudan to turn down our invitation for a friendly game in Cairo,” the EFA said in a statement. “Therefore, the training camp was called off. The national team will hold another training camp from 20 January to 10 February 2012 before their game against Central Africa (in the 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers).”
The camp's cancellation plays into the hands of Egyptian champions Ahly, who had said they would not release their players for international duty. The Red Devils argued that the camp was not on FIFA's international calendar and hereby their players are not obliged to fulfil a call-up to the national team.
Egypt slumped to a 2-0 defeat by five-time world champions Brazil in Qatar in the debut of American coach Bob Bradley earlier this month.