With so many calling for the return of domestic football and others opposing the notion, many questions are raised as to what would be the ideal decision needed to get the game back on track. Those who persistently support the league recommencement usually cite the ‘five million sportsmen' who would remain jobless with the lingering football suspension. While those who are against the decision - mainly Ahli's ultras - have made it loud and clear that there would be no football until ‘justice is served' against the culprits of the Port-Said massacre, where they witnessed the deaths of more than 70 of their cohorts during the ominous league game. Now so many are asking what does kicking off the league have to do with the announcement of a judicial ruling? Why should footballers, managers, officials, media men and all those who rely on the game to bring home the bacon suffer another layoff because of something related to gathering evidence and convicting individuals? But before looking for answers, there are much more important questions which the likes of prominent media men like Ahmed Shobeir and Medhat Shalabi would fail to reply to. What precautions or actions have been made to ensure that such a calamitous incident will not take place in the future? Did the so-called FA or a higher authority announce any procedures to avoid such a tragedy again? What's the use of reviving the so-called five millions' career if there is nothing to guarantee the safety of their lives or their supporters? In my viewpoint, these are the pivotal questions that could well determine the right decision needed to be made. What do ultras want? Those who took a swipe at the ultras for their revolutionary demeanor didn't even bother to analyze the reasons behind the hardcore fans' fury. “Ultras demand justice being delivered against the suspects of the case for a very important reason that not so many are able to realize," an ultras member speaking on condition of anonymity said. “We just want to make sure that this will never happen again, even if Ahli fans were not at the receiving end. “For example, if an away league game saw Ahli go ahead by two or three goals and the home fans started mocking their counterparts by reminding them of the Port-Said incident. “This is because everyone will assume that the case is not over as no action has been taken. “What would happen then? Another deadly disaster would be on the cards given the ultras deep grief for the loss of their comrades who haven't seen justice served yet. “But if a court ruling has been announced, even if it is subject to an appeal, at least such an incident would be avoided." It is obvious that the ultras' stance is a normal result of the long-standing absence of justice in the country, a major aspect that resulted in a revolution which has yet to bring a tangible change in this regard. The ultras actions are justifiable here, the fact that domestic action would be resumed with no real action in the Port-Said case would makes everyone forget all about the issue and eventually the perpetrators would beat the rap like so many other cases. Moreover, the apathy the FA is showing makes it mandatory to delay any football activity until a genuine solution is brought about; a deterrent to such crimes through real justice and serious precautions being implemented. We all want football back, but before the return of such a pivotal sport, we need to ensure that justice and safety are there before the game.
