Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has decided against taking part in the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is set to take place in Morocco on January.
CAF announced last week that Morocco have replaced Kenya as the hosts of the 2018 CHAN after Kenya was stripped of the rights to host the competition.
Following the designation of Morocco as hosts, Egypt, who were beaten by Morocco in the Northern Zone playoffs, qualified for the tournament, which allows the participation of locally-based players only.
“We have sent an official letter to the African Football Confederation (CAF), informing them that we will not be able to take part in the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN),” Egypt FA executive director Tharwat Sweilam said.
“The reason for the apology is that we can’t stop the Premier League, especially as the tournament is being played outside the FIFA international agenda.
“There are special youth players such as Ahmed Fetouh of Zamalek, Al Ahly’s Akram Tawfik, Karim Nedved and Ahmed Ramadan Beckham, but they will join the Olympic team and at the same time they are registered with their teams in the Premier League,” he added.