Dozens dead' hundreds injured after a football match in Egypt

[malaise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/01/egypt-football-match-violence-dead
<snip>
At least 73 people have died and hundreds are injured after violent clashes broke out at a football match in Port Said between Cairo club Al-Ahly and local club Al-Masry, government officials said.

The violence flared after Al-Ahly, one of Egypt's most successful teams, were beaten 3-1. Television footage showed players running from the pitch chased by fans while a small group of riot police tried to protect the players, but they appeared overwhelmed and fans attacked the players as they fled. Fans of both teams clashed and stormed the pitch and dressing rooms. The deputy health minister, Hesham Sheiha, called it "the biggest disaster in Egypt's soccer history".

"This is not football. This is a war and people are dying in front of us. There is no movement and no security and no ambulances," Al-Ahly player Mohamed Aboutrika told his club's television channel. "I call for the league to be cancelled. This is a horrible situation and today can never be forgotten."

Egypt's Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the head of the country's ruling military council, ordered two helicopters be sent to Port Said, the scene of violent soccer clashes, to fly out some of the visiting Al-Ahly soccer team and its fans, military sources said. The helicopters will transfer the injured to military hospitals, the sources said.
____________________
Good fugging grief!

[seabeyond]

1. that is too disgustingly weird. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. omg

[redqueen]

3. What a tragedy. :(

I hope the guilty fans are identified and punished.

[Drale]

4. You know what they say, I went to the riots and a soccer match broke out

Seriously, I'm a sports nut but I would and could never kill anyone over it.

[HuckleB]

8. And that's why most sports related murders in the US seem to be in MLB parking lots?

Look, I'm a baseball fan above all else, but cut the stereotype BS.

[InkAddict]

5. Pent up demand (for violence)???

Are these the same Egyptians who "occupied" for weeks to rid themselves of Mubarak?

[aquart]

6. Men!

[HuckleB]

7. These folks may be related to last Spring...

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Backchannels/2012/0201/Egypt-soccer-tragedy-claims-73-lives-and-fans-rumors-video

"Interesting will be the response of the Ultras Ahlawy, Ahly's hard-core supporters group. They and the supporters' clubs from a few other teams were deeply involved in organizing defenses at Tahrir Square during the uprising against Mubarak -- bringing organization, and know-how in dealing with the country's riot police. Though football fans, they seem to take as much delight in taunting and jeering at the police as they do in celebrating goals.

The Ultras occasionally flexed their muscles on the streets of Cairo since the revolutoin. The killing of an Ahly supporter by police after a match in September led to a mass show of strength by the Ultras, who marched on the Israeli embassy venting their fury and sacked the place."

[malaise]

10. Yes this is more about the ongoing fight for Egypt than

it was about football. BBC says people in Egypt are blaming Mubarak's supporters for this slaughter. Someone fired shots and that led to a stampede.

[HuckleB]

9. One Year Ago: Soccer Clubs Central to Ending Egypt's "Dictatorship of Fear"

http://www.edgeofsports.com/2011-01-31-596/index.html