The Interior Ministry has approved starting the Egyptian Premier League on the 1st of February, according to the FA's website. Following several postponements and despite major doubts of resuming domestic football, the FA claims an agreement has been reached with the Interior and Sports Ministries of Egypt. The FA's statement confirmed that the top-flight competition – disrupted since February's Port-Said disaster - shall kick off on the first anniversary of the calamitous incident. All matches of the first round of the 19-club competition will be played behind closed doors. Should football be resumed as planned, the 2012-2013 is expected to face the obstacle of fixture congestion, given the numerous international and continental club commitments. The Egypt national team have four fixtures in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers next year, while Ahli, Zamalek and ENPPI play in Africa.