Egyptian authorities have announced their withdrawal from hosting the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to instead support Arab neighbours Algeria in their bid.
The decision came two weeks following the death of 20 Zamalek supporters after police used teargas to disperse crowds attempting to enter Cairo’s Air Defence stadium ahead of a Premier League match with ENPPI.
“We have decided to withdraw our application and will support that of Algeria,” the Egyptian youth and sports minister Khaled Abdel-Aziz announced Monday.
The Nation’s top tier competition has since been suspended and the cabinet, which was due to decide on the matter last Wednesday opted to put discussions on the future of the Premier League on hold to focus more on pressing issues such as the country’s airstrikes on Islamic State group in Libya, after 20 Egyptian Christians were beheaded by the militants.
Security issues have been paired with football in the country for the last three years since February 2012 when 72 Ahly fans were killed after being attacked by rivals al-Masr in Port Said stadium.
Besides Algeria, Gabon, Kenya, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Ghana are also bidding to host the 2017 AFCON that was earlier supposed to be held in security-troubled Libya.
The host will be unveiled by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on 8 April. Egypt has organised the Cup of Nations four times, winning three of those tournaments in 1959, 1986 and 2006 and finished third in 1974 as hosts.
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Source:All Sports