There are several groups of Ultras in Egypt. The most famous are the Ultras Ahlawy and Zamalkawy, the two powerhouses of Egyptian club football. There are other Ultras groups supporting major coastal cities Ismaili, Masri and Ittihad. However, these are the least of the troublemakers. However, on Saturday and by means of a court ruling, Ultras groups were banned and labelled as terrorist groups. The court took its decision based on the fact that Ultras are not a legalised entity. The court also found that these groups have been involved in violence and have been charged with attempted murder. Judge Osama Sabry also considered the fact that the Ultras had changed from a group of sports supporters to a group working in politics. The Ultras have been mired in controversy for the past three years and have been accused by many of being involved in extreme acts of violence in the country, foremost of which was the Port Said massacre in 2012 when 72 people died in a league soccer riot, one of the world's worst football disasters. The Ultras were also at least partially blamed for the deaths of 22 Zamalek fans at the Air Defence Stadium in February during another league match. The Ultras have also been accused of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood, officially declared a terrorist organisation. The Ultras are accused of carrying out acts of violence at the Brotherhood's behest. Several months ago, President of Zamalek Club Mortada Mansour filed a lawsuit calling for the banning of the Ultras for being involved in violence in the country. However, the first degree court rejected the case, claiming it was not in its jurisdiction. Mansour, a former judge and current lawyer, took the case to the Court of Appeals for emergency cases which ruled the banning of all groups of Ultras, deeming them terrorists. Mansour, who had accused the Ultras of trying to kill him, presented a list of past incidents to buttress his argument: setting the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) on fire in 2013 as well as the nearby Police Club, the attempt to kill Farouk Al-Amri, the former minister of sports, and invading Zamalek Club, injuring several of its workers. Mansour had presented as evidence a video clip of the Raba'a sit-in in 2013 in which thousands gathered to protest the ousting of the counter's former president Mohamed Morsi. The video shows a Zamalek Ultras supporter, known as Sayed Moshagheb, joining the sit-in which was forcibly dispersed by police. There was also photo evidence of another Zamalek Ultras leader together with Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, a Salafi preacher who is currently in jail on charges of forgery and incitement to violence. Mansour provided videos of the violence at the Egyptian Football Association, the Police Club in Gezira and Zamalek Club. Mansour said the Ultras had become “a state within the state” showing little respect for the law and had turned stadiums into “war zones”. It is not at all clear whether the Ultras, who started out as a group of football supporters who brought the vibe to Egyptian stadiums with their creative ways of rooting, will disappear from the stands. Many believe the court's verdict would bring peace back to the stadiums while others see it as useless since football matches are already being held behind closed doors for security reasons. But the court spoke about violence off the pitch as well. Ahly Club said it respected the court's decision and would be waiting for the verdict's official transcript to see how banning the Ultras from future games will be implemented. Implementation remains vague, especially how to distinguish whose is an Ultras member from regular spectators. The club believes that everybody in sports seeks a smooth and trouble-free national league competition without any incidents that would mar its progress. Twice in the past four years the league has been cancelled as preventive measures in anticipation of violence. There have also been numerous postponements. The EFA's media director Azmi Megahed said he was relieved by the verdict. “The decision was based on facts and evidence that found the Ultras guilty and involved in several violent incidents, including attacking us, the EFA, and setting our headquarters on fire. The building was completely destroyed and it took us a year to rebuild it.” Megahed, who is also the EFA spokesman, said he expects the verdict to lead to the return of fans to the stadiums in the future. He added that any future incidents whether on or off the field from the Ultras means the law will be strictly implemented. Zamalek Club officials believe the verdict will put an end to the bloodshed in Egypt's stadiums and would shield youths who might be thinking about joining the Ultras. The club said it was looking forward to the return of the fans to the stadiums and the “ideal way of supporting”. Vice President of Ittihad of Alexandria Ezzeddin Hussein told reporters that his club will not be affected by the decision since the club's fans have no history of violence and have always been in support of the club. He explained that the club itself refuses to deal with illegal groups, adding that both Ahly and Zamalek are the ones who will be affected by the decision because they have large groups of Ultras. According to Ismaili Club Director Fathi Bolbol, the verdict will lead to more clashes between the club's officials and its Ultras, “especially that they are now officially banned and declared a terrorist group”. Bolbol added that it was difficult at present to know how to apply the verdict. “It is important to set up a means of communication between club officials and the Ultras.” The Ultras themselves have yet to make an announcement following the ruling. Their relationship with the media is historically tense and rarely do they make any statements except through social media. Some believe their silence is the calm before the storm. On social media some have rejected the verdict, saying they will not accept it. “Ultras is in the mind and nobody can take that from them”, wrote one supporter. Some say Ultras are simply football supporters, not terrorists. Ultras supporters have launched a campaign, especially on Twitter, under the hashtag ‘I am Ultras', rejecting the court's decision under the slogan ‘The Ultras is an idea and ideas don't die'. Former Ahly club player and TV presenter Zakaria Nassef believes the decision will have a positive effect on the future of Egyptian football. “We are looking for real support and fair play in the stadiums without firecrackers and weapons. The Ultras have paid a price for their mistakes and crimes and now it's time to abide by the law.”
