Egyptian FA investigates youth team covid-19 crisis

The Egyptian Football Federation has decided to open an investigation into the crisis of the Egypt youth national team, whose squad has seen more than 16 covid-19 infections, in addition to their coach contracting the disease, while participating in the AFCON qualifiers in Tunisia.

The head of the five-member committee currently running the Egyptian Association, Amr Al-Ganainy, announced that an investigation will be issued to understand the circumstances the led to this spread of the infection among players.

The Confederation of African Football decided that the Egyptian youth national team be considered withdrawn from its game against the Libyan national team yesterday, granting the latter a 3-0 victory after Egypt couldn't put together a 15-player squad for the game.

"Definitely there will be an investigation concerning the increase in covid-19 infections among the squad," Al-Gananiny told "ONTV" on Wednesday.

"So far we have been waiting for the result of the swab they underwent yesterday, and the result should be out in an hour or less" he added.

The Egyptian Ministry of Sports postpones the return of the team

For their part, Egyptian players refused to return to their country on a private plane explaining that this would mean the end to a whole generation's dream of qualifying for the AFCON in Mauritania and then Youth World Cup.

In response to that, the Egyptian Ministry of Sports put off the group's return until the results of the latest tests come out as per the players' request.

Egyptian Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi stated: "The private plane is ready to fly at any time to be decided by the expedition following an approval by the Ministry of Aviation. We postponed the flight as per the expedition's request."

Players Ahmed Hossam and Mustafa Saad are expected to travel to Tunisia in the coming hours to join the Egyptian squad ahead of the fixture against Tunisia in the second round of qualifiers.