Supporters of Tersana, Mansoura and Aswan storm Egypt FA
The EFA's new method of promotion to the Premier League sparks rage among fans
Eslam Omar, Wednesday 24 Aug 2011
EFA president, Samir Zaher
Tens of supporters of the three Egyptian clubs, Tersana, Mansoura and Aswan, protested on Wednesday outside the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) building against President Samir Zaher’s decision to cancel the re-matches to decide which of the three teams should go through to the Egyptian Premier League.
“Some people tried to storm the building, and some have decided to hold a sit-in until the association solves the problem,” an eye-witness told Ahram Online.
The EFA announced on Tuesday that they would cancel the mini three-team league which was supposed to determine who would be the 20th team in the new-look Egyptian Premier League, after the three clubs refused to attend the tournament's draw.
“The three clubs insist that they should all advance to the Egyptian Premier League after they finished level in the first mini tournament, and this is a very hard decision to make,” EFA spokesman Azmy Megahed insisted.
Tersana, Mansoura and Aswan, who all finished runners up in their respective groups in the second division, played a three-team league to determine who would be promoted, along with already-promoted trio Dakhleya, Ghazl El-Mahalla and Beni Suef .
The EFA initially said the league would be expanded to 20 teams after it decided to cancel relegation, citing the adverse effects of January’s revolution on the least well performing teams - Ittihad, Smouha and Arab Contractors.
It is expected that officials from the three clubs will discuss with the EFA board the possibility of holding the mini tournament again before they decide to cancel it and continue the league with only 19 teams.
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