CAS lifts Al-Masry ban
Court of Arbitration for Sport overturns one-year ban on Egyptian club following February violence at Port Said Stadium
An Egyptian football club whose fans’ riot killed 74 people after a match in Port Said this year was reprieved by sport’s highest court on Thursday.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned Al-Masry’s ban from football as it partially upheld the club’s appeal against Egyptian Football Association sanctions.
Keep reading
list of 4 itemsHolders Man City go out of Champions League on penalties to Real Madrid
Barca crash out as Mbappe brace leads PSG to Champions League last four
Saudi reviews football fan rules after whip attack
“Al-Masry may participate in EFA events for the season 2012-2013,” the court said.
Riot
Egyptian football was halted after the February 1 violence, which caused the deaths of fans from Cairo-based club Al-Ahly. The league is scheduled to resume next month.
The deadly tragedy was linked to tensions following the downfall of state president Hosni Mubarak’s regime last year.
CAS also lifted a compulsory relegation which the national football body tried to impose which would have sent Al-Masry to the second tier in 2013-14.
However, the court maintained severe restrictions on Al-Masry’s fans.
“Spectators are banned from Al-Masry’s home games for the next complete season,” the court said.
Al-Masry also cannot play matches in the Port Said stadium for “four calendar years.”
Fans can attend all away matches except those against Al-Ahly, which must be played behind closed doors.
“The next four games against Al-Ahly … shall be played without fans on neutral (ground) which shall be at a distance of 200 kilometres from Cairo or Port Said,” the court said.