CAIRO: Clubs did not allow the state TV to air Wednesday s Egyptian Premier League matches after both parties failed to reach an agreement over the ongoing broadcasting saga. The games weren't broadcast on private cable networks, who did not meet the clubs asking price to buy the TV rights. However, the state TV was expected to air them regardless of the outcome of negotiations between clubs and cable networks as the Egyptian government insists citizens should watch local matches for free. But that did not happen on Wednesday. According to a previous agreement, the clubs, who are represented by a seven-member committee, allowed the state TV to broadcast league games on channel 2 and the Egyptian Satellite Channel (ESC). The Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU), who paid LE 26 million for the domestic rights, failed to stick to the agreement and decided to add one more channel in Nile Sports. The decision prompted the clubs to call off any plans to air the second round of league games. Only the first-half of Harras Hodoud s 3-2 victory over Gaish was broadcast while usual TV viewers had to listen to radio to follow Thursday s late game between title holders Ahly and Police Union. Zamalek will follow in the footsteps of those teams after deciding not to televise Thursday s encounter against Petrojet. This is a final decision, spokesman Sabri Serag said on the club s official website. Reports said that Egyptian Football Association (EFA) president Samir Zaher warned all first-division clubs that they could face sanctions if they allowed the state TV to broadcast their games.
