The North Cairo Criminal Court postponed on Wednesday the trial of 16 defendants accused of initiating a riot—in relation to the Air Defence Stadium clashes case—to 9 April. In the Air Defence Stadium case, during an Egyptian premier league football in 2015, violent clashes took place between Al-Zamalek SC and ENPPI fans, leading to the deaths of 20 Al-Zamalek SC football fans. Late prosecutor general Hisham Barakat previously claimed that Muslim Brotherhood members provided the Ultras White Knights, fans affiliated to Cairo's Al-Zamalek football Club, with money and explosive materials to incite the riots and violence that led to the killings, in addition to attacking and injuring police forces and burning a police car. Also, the Ministry of Interior said violence occurred after Ultras White Knights tried to attend the game without having bought tickets. There are severe tensions between the Ultras groups in both Al-Ahly and Al-Zamalek sports clubs and the interior ministry, which have led to previous clashes and arrests. Regarding Al-Zamalek, the clashes particularly increased following the election of controversial lawyer and vocal army supporter Mortada Mansour as club president. Mansour has been inciting people against the fans by calling them thugs, Muslim Brotherhood members, and traitors. He made several attempts to limit their presence in stadiums by suggesting an application process for attendance.
