Egyptian champions Ahli have released a statement confirming their intent to air the team's league games exclusively on the club's satellite channel. "The decision was taken in a club board meeting and will take effect starting with the game against Asyut Petroleum on Wednesday," Ahli's statement read. Ahli's board excluded state-owned channels from the boycott, which means that the Egyptian Satellite Channel (ESC), Egypt's channel 2 and Nile Sports will be able to air the games with Ahli TV. "We took into consideration the rights of Egyptian viewers in the country and abroad," the statement that was released on Ahli's website said.
Ahli president Hassan Hamdi Ahli's decision came after the club officials failed to reach an agreement with the representatives of private satellite channels and the Egyptian Football Association (EFA). Ahli had been negotiating a deal that would allow the club to be reimbursed for the broadcasting rights of their home games. The negotiations were witnessed by Higher Sports Council (HSC) president Hassan Sakr, Peoples' Assembly representative Sayed Gohar and Ahmed Anis, secretary general for the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU). However, talks fell through after EFA president Samir Zaher, who acted as a middle man, failed to convince the private satellite channels with Ahli's demands. Ahli's statement said that all the Egyptian authorities concerned have been notified of the club's decision, including the Ministry of Information.
