Egypt opts out as host over Algeria tension

Egypt, reeling over a football row with North African rival Algeria, has backed out of hosting the African Handball Championship in which Algeria will take part, the head of the Egyptian Handball League said.

League chairman Hadi Fahmy told Egyptian television late on Sunday that Egypt was bowing out of hosting the tournament in February "due to the tension currently present" between Egypt and Algeria.

Tensions between Cairo and Algiers flared following charges of violence after Egypt's 1-0 play-off defeat by Algeria in Sudan on Nov. 18, which sent Algeria through to next year's World Cup finals at Egypt's expense.

Egypt and Algeria have each accused the other of failing to protect their citizens and property from attacks by rival fans.

Cairo withdrew its ambassador to Algiers and Algeria has demanded an explanation from Cairo.

Fahmy told Egypt's Channel 1 that Egypt had asked to postpone the handball championship for six months, but the African Handball Nations Champion-ship refused. He said Egypt would participate wherever it was held.

FIFA began an investigation after Egyptian fans stoned Algeria's national team bus on arrival for the Cairo leg of the group stage qualifier on Nov. 14, hurting three players. Scuffles after that match, which Egypt won 2-0 to force the sudden-death playoff, injured 20 Algerians.