CAIRO: The Cairo derby between Ahly and Zamalek has been postponed indefinitely upon the request of the interior ministry, the Egyptian FA’s competition committee announced on Wednesday.
The interior ministry asked the Egyptian FA to postpone the highly-anticipated clash, which was scheduled for Nov. 26, because it will coincide with the parliamentary elections.
"The committee decided to rearrange the game after receiving a letter from the interior ministry today," Amer Hussein, head of the competition committee, told FilGoal.com.
Amer said the committee is yet to set a new date for the game.
The People’s Assembly elections will be held on Nov. 28, two days after Zamalek meet arch rivals Ahly at Cairo Stadium.
The interior ministry usually imposes tight security in the Cairo derbies due to the heated rivalry between both sides.
The Ahly-Zamalek duels do not witness violent clashes but the fans of both sides regularly lift huge banners to mock each others.
"Postponing the game is not in our interests," Zamalek football director Ibrahim Hassan said after his side claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ismaili to move three points clear at the top of the table.
"We are in fine form at the moment, so we hoped to play the game this month."
Ahly, who are chasing a seventh consecutive league title, were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at lowly Gouna on Tuesday.
The Red Devils are three points adrift of Zamalek but they still have two games in hand.
