CAIRO: Egypt's ministry of interior said in a statement that 54 of its police force were injured as clashes erupted Thursday night in the streets surrounding the ministry in central Cairo. Tens of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets following the killing of 75 football fans the night before at the al-Masry and al-Ahly match where the security towards the end of the match opened the gates and released the angry supporters onto the pitch, who attacked the field and the Ahly fans and assaulted them with rocks, steel bars, fire crackers and many were thrown from high levels of the stadium. A soldier was also killed on Thursday night after a ministry vehicle from the riot control force hit the young soldier when it was moving backwards and he was caught under the wheels. He died shortly after being transferred to a hospital. Many marches arrived to Tahrir to condemn the violence and the police's absence during the match. Eyewitnesses at the match said the police opened the gates for al-Masry fans and fled the scene after closing the gates exiting the stadium, imprisoning the Ahly team and fans inside. Ahly icon Mohamed Abu Treika led a march from outside the club heading to Tahrir accompanied by other players from the team. Abu Treika told Ahly TV on Wednesday night while still being trapped in the locker room that a fan had died in his arms adding that its “war outside.” The ruling military council sent two military planes for the team and the fans and Mohamed Tantawi, head of the council was there at the Cairo airport receiving the team. Abu Treika reportedly refused to shake his hands and left to join the march later and chanted against Tantawi and the council. On Friday, clashes resumed as police continued to fire tear gas and rubber bullets at the protesters. Two men were reportedly dead in the city of Suez after mass protests took the city by storm on Thursday. Thousands prayed the Friday noon prayer and remained in the square as just down the road clashes continue. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/Vbm5M Tags: featured, Mansour Street, Police, Protests Section: Egypt, Latest News
