Ahly players are frustrated by what they consider lenient sanctions against Masry as punishment for the Port Said stadium disaster that left more than 74 dead and hundreds injured.
Late Friday night Port Said Masry fans tried to storm administration buildings, which lead to clashes with the army.
"Players are in a state of shock over the insufficient sanctions against Masry and exaggerated sanctions against the Ahly team," reads a statement on the club’s website.
The Egyptian Football Association statement specified that Masry’s football activities would be suspended for the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons. The club will be reinstated to the Premier League in the 2013/14 season.
Ahly Red Devils will play their four matches behind closed doors as punishment and their Portuguese coach Manuel Jose is also suspended for four games. Midfielder Hossam Ghaly was given a four-match ban and fined LE5,000 after remonstrating with the referee a few minutes before the disaster.
Ahly players were traumatised by the catastrophe, especially that they witnessed as some of their fans died and were injured in their dressing room.
President Hassan Hamdy met with the team on Saturday and asked them to stay focused on their CAF Champions League tie against Ethiopian Coffee on Sunday. He assured them that the board won’t stand still and will keep fighting for justice for the martyrs and the team.
