The Egyptian Football Association announced on Sunday it would resume Premier League play on 30 December, after postponing matches for constitutional referendum voting.

The association had originally said it was committed to beginning the Premier League on 18 December, but had to change its plan following President Mohamed Morsy’s deciding to hold the referendum on 15 and 22 December. The Sunday statement said the first and second rounds of play, which would have been held on those days, have been postponed, and that play would begin with the third round on 30 December.

“The association has obtained written approval from the Defense Ministry to hold games in Armed Forces stadiums without an audience,” Hassan Farid, vice president of the association, said in a press conference Sunday.

The Premier League was suspended in February after 72 fans of Egypt’s leading Ahly Club, mostly members of the hardcore supporter group known as the Ultras Ahlawy, were killed in a fight following a match between Ahly and the Port Said-based team Masry.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm