All professional football activity has been on hold in Egypt since January 22 - three days before the start of pro-democracy protests which plunged the country into crisis and led to the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Plans for the leagues to recommence next week had been thrown into doubt after rioting fans disrupted an African Champions League match between Cairo-based Zamalek and Tunisia outfit Club Africain over the weekend.

But at a meeting yesterday between the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and the country's new Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, it was agreed to press ahead with the resumption of domestic competition next Wednesday.

EFA chairman Samir Zaher said: "We decided to resume the league matches in all grades and in the presence of the fans on April 13.

"We have got approval from the authorities to restart the competition.

"There will be no exceptional procedures and fans will be allowed to attend games normally."

Zamalek currently head the Premier League, the top tier in Egyptian football, with 32 points from 15 games.