The Board of Directors of Assiut Petroleum Club issued an official statement expressing its anger and dismay over the Egyptian Football Association's decision preventing the first football team from playing its matches at its home stadium during the Egyptian Premier League championship.
The board clarified in its statement that the decision represents an additional burden on the club and deprives the team of its right to play before its fans in Assiut Governorate.
This comes as Assiut Petroleum prepares to begin its journey in the league championship today, Saturday, when it faces Suez Selection, marking the start of the team's campaign following its historic promotion to the Premier League.
The board stressed its insistence on its right to play matches at its home stadium, affirming that the club has obtained all necessary technical approvals, and that the decision to prevent it from playing in Assiut imposes significant financial and organizational burdens, increasing the suffering of both the team and Upper Egypt fans.
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Assiut Petroleum Statement
O noble fans of Upper Egypt, loyal sons of Assiut, these words come from the heart of sorrow and injustice inflicted upon Assiut Petroleum Club, representing all of Upper Egypt, following the clear obstinacy in depriving it of an inherent right: playing on its home ground before its own fans.
A large segment of Upper Egypt is living in grief and anger due to being marginalized and deprived of its most basic legitimate sporting rights to represent the region appropriately following its historic promotion to the Premier League.
We were surprised on Wednesday evening, just 48 hours before the match, by unexpected decisions that increased the burdens placed upon the club.
The management has fulfilled all technical approvals for broadcasting and video technology at the governorate's stadiums in preparation for the upcoming match; nevertheless, the club is forced to play matches outside Assiut Governorate at exorbitant costs and with lengthy travel hardships, especially given that there is no fully approved stadium in Upper Egypt from Beni Suef to Aswan capable of hosting these competitions.
Now, we declare clearly that the club's management faces two bitter options: either accept the challenge of playing away from home and endure this great hardship to ensure the team's continuity, or take other decisive measures to protect the entity's rights.
Upper Egypt is not inferior to any other region, and our right to represent our fans is a red line. Neither our vast fanbase nor our symbols will accept Assiut remaining hostage to administrative and logistical obstinacy. If everyone does not move to support what is right, the voice of Upper Egyptian anger will not cease. Everyone must know that both Assiut Petroleum and Assiut Cement stadiums have hosted more than 100 Premier League matches in previous years, which raises many question marks about the reasons for rejecting them now.
