Masry hit with new penalty over Port Said disaster

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has imposed an additional penalty on Masry for the Port Said disaster that left more than 70 dead and hundreds injured at a match between Masry and Ahly on 1 February. The Port Said club will now be relegated to the second division after it completes a one-year suspension from top flight football, following a decision by the EFA's Grievances Committee Tuesday. The club is also banned from playing matches on home soil for three years. Egypt's worst football tragedy led to the suspension of all domestic football competitions and left hosting continental qualifiers in doubt. Cairo-based Ahly was hit by a LE60,000 fine due to rioting on the night of the Port Said disaster, ordered to play a match behind closed doors and another four away from its home stadium. Ahly midfielder Hossam Ghaly had his four match suspension raised to six and was hit with a LE4000 fine, whilst Portuguese manager Manuel Jose was handed a four-match ban and a LE5000 fine for their actions on 1 February. The cancellation of domestic football competitions has put many clubs in a perilous financial situation, whilst the national team's coach has complained his players are lacking fitness. The EFA is trying to organise an Egypt Cup competition but the Interior Ministry has so far refused to secure stadiums.