Renowned football pundit Alaa Sadek, who works as a TV presenter, was banned for criticizing the interior ministry in the wake of the unfortunate incidents that occurred in an African Champions League game on Sunday. Cairo giants Ahli defeated Tunisia's Esperance 2-1 at home in the first leg of the Champions League semi final but the match was marred by riots caused by the visiting fans. Esperance supporters ripped up seats and threw them onto the pitch before letting off illegal fireworks after right-back Ahmed Fathi gave the hosts a 2-0 lead eight minutes past the hour mark. However, it was another incident in the stands which drew widespread criticism. TV cameras caught a dozen of Esperance fans beating up two stewards, who were subsequently taken to hospital to receive treatment. The ugly scene sparked outrage in Egypt. Sadek, who presents two shows in the Egyptian television, followed in the footsteps of several media pundits who heavily criticized the security personnel for failing to defend their colleagues. He went as far as calling on interior minister Habib Al-Adli to apologize for 'the painful moments Egyptians endured when they saw what happened to the stadium's steward'. "The security officers shoulder all the blame for that. They left the man alone facing hungry tigers who were eager to prey him," Sadek said during his show on Nile Sports on Monday. "Mr. Al-Adli needs to apologize to the man and millions of Egyptians who were deeply affected by what happened from Esperance fans." Sadek's comments did not go down well with the ministry of information, which oversees the Egyptian television. It decided to ban him from presenting any shows in the state-run TV. When contacted by FilGoal.com, Sadek declined to speak about the matter. "No comment, no comment," the outspoken media figure said.
