Cairo derby called off as Zamalek players did not show up

CAIRO - The Egyptian Premier League clash between Ahly and Zamalek was called off after the Whites didn't show up at the Cairo International Stadium on Monday.

The game was scheduled to start at 19:30 Cairo local time but was postponed for an hour as the Whites were reportedly stuck in traffic due to heavy rains in the Egyptian capital, state-run Ahram Online reported.

The referee whistled the start of the game at 20:30 in the presence of Ahly, who were in the field on time, and waited for 20 minutes before the match was called off.

According to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) regulations, Ahly will be announced winners of the game and six points will be deducted from Zamalek at the end of the season.

On Sunday, the Zamalek board decided to forfeit the league games in protest against the EFA sanctions imposed following the Super Cup brawl last Thursday.

Several Ahly and Zamalek players and officials were hit by heavy sanctions following a bust-up between the two teams at the end of the game that saw Zamalek claim their fourth Super Cup title following a penalty shootout victory.

Zamalek president backtracked on his decision and a youthful Zamalek side were reportedly on their way to Cairo stadium but were stuck in traffic.

No fans were at the stadium as spectators have been banned from domestic league in Egypt since February 2012 when 72 Ahly supporters died in clashes between fans at Port Said stadium.

The crowd ban was briefly lifted in January 2015 but immediately reimposed after 20 Zamalek fans died in a stampede after police used tear gas to disperse crowds lined up to attend a regular league game against Enppi in Cairo.