The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has deepened its relationship with the Egyptian government by signing an agreement to keep their headquarters in the country for the next 10 years.

The agreement allows CAF diplomatic status in the country.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday by Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi and CAF president Ahmad Ahmad in a ceremony which had Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madouly in attendance.

Egypt’s Sports Minister Sobhy said the new agreement comes as an alternative to the 2007 one, adding that CAF asked for a new agreement after the end of the previous one.

He said that Egypt approved CAF request in light of its keenness to support sport activities in Africa, pointing out that Cairo offers some privileges to CAF and its staff in Egypt to facilitate their mission in the continent.

The agreement recognises the international legal personality of CAF as an international non-governmental sports organization and will have its staff benefit from a number of advantages, immunities and privileges in Egypt.

The privileges offered by the Egyptian government include offering utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sanitation, telephone and civil protection for CAF, in addition to tax and customs packages.