New date for EPL return

EPL has been suspended since last February Cairo - Arabstoday The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has confirmed that the Egyptian Premier League season will begin on February 1, after a meeting with Egypt's sports minister and interior minister. In a statement on the EFA's official website, the Association confirmed that the first round will be played behind closed doors. The Egyptian league has been suspended since February 1, 2012, when 72 al-Ahly fans died in clashes during a match at Port Said Stadium. The EFA statement read: "All those in attendance of Saturday's meeting revealed their hopes that the league would start as soon as possible, as it will be an indicator of Egypt's stable security situation. The premier league will start next February, though the first round will be played behind closed doors." The statement concluded with, "the EFA and the clubs' managements should reach out to fans in order to avoid unrest inside and outside the stadiums." The EFA has already set three previous dates for possible league restarts, but the interior ministry's constant refusal has proved a stumbling block. Ahly fans say the league should remain suspended until the court investigating the case issues a verdict, with some planning to cause disruptions at any domestic match held before the court's decision.