Egypt's FA extends suspension of football activities until mid-May

Football was initially suspended 15 March, now extended through May as the country fights the Covid-19 outbreak

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced Thursday that the suspension of all football activities in Egypt would be extended for 15 more days as the country continues fighting the spread of coronavirus.

"In accordance with the decisions of the Egyptian prime minister, extending a curfew in the country, EFA has decided to extend the suspension of football activities starting from the beginning of May for another 15 days," reads an EFA statement.

"The decision applies to all grades of local competitions and all ages," the statement added.

The suspension of football activities started 15 March initially for two weeks, in aid of stopping the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

On Thursday, Egypt’s government extended the current partial curfew from 9pm to 6am during the holy month of Ramadan starting Friday, as part of stricter measures to limit the spread of Covid-19.

Egyptian football clubs had already halted training, asking players to stay fit at home until further notice.

According to the latest health ministry statement issued Wednesday, Egypt registered 169 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 3,659 cases and the death toll to 276 nationwide.