EGX ends in red on August 20    Egyptian pound weakens against US dollar on August 20    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt expresses 'deep dissatisfaction' to Netherlands over embassy attack    Global pressure mounts as Gaza fighting intensifies and death toll surges    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    At TICAD, Egypt's education minister signs pacts with Casio, SAPIX    Madbouly invites Japanese firms to establish industrial zone in SCZONE    Cairo, Tokyo sign LOI to expand educational cooperation, support for persons with disabilities    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Al-Sisi meets Qatar PM, Bahrain security adviser to discuss Gaza crisis, regional stability    Egypt's FM, Palestinian PM visit Rafah crossing to review Gaza aid    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Football league resumes amid tightened security
Published in Daily News Egypt on 14 - 04 - 2011

CAIRO: Following a three-month suspension, the Egyptian football league resumed Wednesday with five matches amid tightened security measures by police.
Al-Ahly beat Police Union 2-1 in Cairo, while Smouha beat Military Production 3-2 in Alexandria and Al-Gouna beat ENPPI 2-1 in Hurghada. Both games between Ismaily and Petrojet in Ismailia and Talae' Al-Geish and Al-Masry in Cairo ended in a 1-1 draw.
Three matches were slated for Thursday night: Zamalek and Haras El-Hodoud at the Military Academy Stadium; Arab Contractors and Wadi Degla at Osman Ahmed Osman Stadium and Masr Al-Maqasa and Al-Ittihad at the Fayoum stadium.
Security measures were tightened at the stadium gates with fans subjected to strict inspections for flares, lighters and sticks. The security personnel included police, army and club-appointed civilian guards.
The past two weeks witnessed several debates on whether or not to resume the league considering the insufficiency of security measures. Critics cited the violent events following the match between Zamalek and Club Africain of Tunisia's at the African Champions League, when Zamalek fans invaded the pitch, leaving Tunisian players injured.
"We are happy with the return of football, it must come back," said Karim Ahmed, member of Ultras Ahlawy, a group of hardcore fans known for its fanatic support and enthusiasm.
"Violence isn't part of our ideology and I doubt it was ultras who did it; an ultras member supports his team without clashing with security or the adversary unless he is attacked and regardless of the results," Ahmed added.
Zamalek's ultras, known as Ultras White Knights, were blamed for the events and a number of its leaders were arrested.
During Al-Ahly's game at the Military Academy Stadium, fully equipped central security forces manned the entrances and fans were checked at three different points before and after entering the stadium.
Inside there was heavy security with rows of central security forces surrounding the stands, supervised by high-ranking police officers.
Gates between the stands and the pitch were monitored by military police and covered with razor wire.
"Security procedures are very tight which is understandable after the Zamalek match but not all fans are the same," said Ahmed, a member of the ultras who didn't want to mention his last name.
A number of fans were detained for carrying flares, but following a sit-in, they were allowed in only with their banners.
Ahmed said that they didn't intend to cause any trouble.
The Ministry of Interior had previously asked the clubs to shoulder the responsibility of securing their matches, but when they refused, the ministry agreed to take charge.
Civilian personnel were only asked to check tickets at the gates.
Fans said that police officers treated them well.
"I am a hardcore football fan and attended many matches … the officers' attitude is better than before, but we should wait for more intense matches to judge," said Ahmed Kogo.
Kogo, although happy with the return of football, said that he doesn't think the league will be completed.
"Officials at clubs and sports media aren't responsible enough to deal with anticipated problems and always work on stirring fans. And if there is trouble, there will always be someone to defend the wrong side," he said.
Club officials held several meetings with fans groups over the past week urging them to refrain from violence.
They said that cancelling the league will lead to financial disasters at clubs and will have a negative impact on national teams.


Clic here to read the story from its source.