Sports minister El-Amri Farouk has confirmed that the Egyptian Premier League will start on September 17 as he stressed that there is no place for Masri. The FA announced the date last month yet there was no word from a higher authority until minister Farouk reaffirmed the association's claim. “The league season will start as planned on September 17 as the competitions' committee will announce the fixture list soon," former Ahli board member Farouk told Modern Kora TV. “The competition will start without Masri. This case has been officially closed." Masri have been hit by a one-year ban from domestic competitions for their involvement in the death of over 70 Ahli supporters following an ominous league game last February. However, officials from the Port-Said club claimed recently that an appeal against the decision has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, fueling speculation of their inclusion. All domestic competitions have been suspended since the February 1 disaster as games will be resumed behind closed doors for an indefinite date.
