Despite repeated warnings and punitive measures, Egypt's soccer fans continue to set off flares and fireworks in stadiums. In the face of the violations, the Football Association seems powerless, as Ahmed Morsy reports Since the beginning of the domestic league, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has penalised a number of football teams, most notably Zamalek and Ahli, the country's two top football clubs, for the use of banned fireworks and flares by their supporters. Clubs were ordered to play some matches behind closed doors while others were fined. But nothing apparently has worked. A fortnight ago, EFA chairman Samir Zaher held a meeting with Interior Minister Mansour El-Essawi, Minister of Information Osama Heikal as well as six chairmen of league clubs to discuss hooliganism in stadiums and settle on possible measures to ease the tension which has grown notably between fans and police following January's revolution. The Interior Ministry vowed to tighten security for upcoming games while the EFA called on clubs and the media to do their best to persuade fans to abandon the use of fireworks and flares. Nevertheless, extremist fans Ultras Ahlawi and Zamalkawi have since continued to set off flames and fireworks, while hundreds of them attempted to attend games that were being played behind closed doors as punishment upon EFA orders. Last week, Zamalek supporters broke the crowd ban rule in their team's match against Police Union by invading Cairo Stadium and lighting flares. Clashes ensued between security forces and Zamalek supporters, with dozens arrested and some reportedly treated roughly by the police. Zamalek had been ordered to play Tuesday's match against Police Union behind closed doors after fans lit firecrackers during earlier matches. "It is very difficult to continue playing amid these disturbances," Zaher told TV shows following clashes between Zamalek fans and the police. "We tried to prevent riots, but supporters considered the punishments provocative," Zaher said. "What Zamalek supporters did is a violation of all the rules. Where is the security necessary to continue the league?" In response to the arrest of some of their colleagues, Ultras White Knights (UWK), Zamalek's hardcore fans, lashed out at Zaher, club presidents, Interior Ministry officials, and sports programme presenters. "These people are remnants of the former regime. They will not determine our destiny," UWK said in a statement they released on their official Facebook page. "We suffered a lot from injustice and repression in the past, but we stood up to that with pride. We fought with all our might to maintain our principles and freedom," the statement continued. "We thought justice and freedom would come after our revolution. We will continue in our defence of freedom even with our blood. Our war with the EFA will continue until we win and see corrupt people in prison," the UWK added. Earlier, Ultras Ahlawi attempted to enter Cairo Stadium by force during another behind-closed- doors match with Dakhleya. Some remained outside the stadium chanting with the intention of delivering a message to officials that they would not allow anyone to deprive them of their right to attend the matches. In their last league game against Enppi, which ended 3-2 for Ahli, Ahli fans lit numerous light flares and waved banners insulting the EFA and its chairman, describing them as the "remains of the corrupt Mubarak regime". The Ultras Ahlawi said they plan to attend their team's league clash against Ismaili despite a crowd ban. The behind-closed-doors game was scheduled to be played on Saturday but was postponed due to the Egyptian Olympic team commitments. "We announced that we will not be present at the Dakhleya match. We took the decision to ensure that the interests of our club will not be harmed," Ultras Ahlawi said on Facebook. "However, we also wanted to send a message to the remnants of the former regime that we will not allow them to deprive us of our right to attend matches. "We hereby officially announce that we will be present at the Ismaili match." According to EFA regulations, a team which does not abide by the crowd ban will have points deducted. "The Ahli and Ismaili game will still be played behind closed doors despite Ahli's fans threats," Azmi Megahed, EFA spokesman and media director, told Al-Ahram Weekly. Meantime, new proposals were being assessed by the EFA to help stop fireworks during games, including playing matches during daylight rather than at night and increasing ticket prices. "There will be a meeting next week between EFA officials and the chairmen of the clubs to find reasonable measures to prevent hooliganism in the stadiums. Instead of playing league games at 7.00pm, they will be scheduled for 4.00pm and 5.00pm. And we are planning to make them earlier," Megahed explained. "Concerning increasing the price of tickets, I think it won't stop fireworks since there is a hidden source of funding such groups. The cost of a single flare is LE180 so it won't bother them if the ticket becomes expensive."
