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FIFA executive member Abou-Reida disqualified from Egyptian FA race Hani Abou-Reida disqualified from the race to become the new Egyptian Football Association president, to the relief of Ahly's hardcore supporters (Ultras Ahlawy)
FIFA executive committee member Hani Abou-Reida has been excluded from the race to become the new Egyptian Football Association (EFA) chairman as one of the key demands from Ultras Ahlawy, Ahly's die-hard fans, was fulfilled. The association's appeals committee disqualified Abou-Reida because he worked as an EFA official for two consecutive terms. He would not be eligible to run for the EFA presidency until after four years. His main rival for the hot seat, chairman of Maqassa club Mohamed Abdel-Salam, was also eliminated because he has yet to complete a full term in charge of the Premier League side. Ultras Ahlawy repeatedly called on authorities to disqualify Abou-Reida because he was a member of the now-defunct National Democratic Party (NDP). Describing him as one of the remnants of the dismantled regime, the hardcore supporters also accused Abou-Reida of conspiring against Ahly in the notorious Port Said case. Port Said club Masry were initially banned by the EFA for two years following February's football disaster which left more than 70 Ahly fans killed following the end of an ill-tempered league game. However, the ban was swiftly overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) because the EFA declined to send a representative to attend a hearing CAS held to look into the case. Ultras Ahlawy alleged that Abou-Reida deliberately played a role in the EFA gaffe to spare Masry, the club of his hometown, any punishments. The fan group vowed not to let the EFA resume domestic football activities until "justice is done" in the Port Said case. They listed six demands that included the disqualification of Abou-Reida from next month's elections. Abou-Reida is likely to challenge the EFA's decision, which leaves only three competitors for the association's presidency - businessman Ihab Saleh, former Ismaily player Osama Khalil and Luxor club chairman Galal Allam. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports)
