Ahli's fan group Ultras Ahlawy decided to return to Cairo after getting into bloody clashes with a host of Masri supporters in Port Said, hours before both teams' league encounter on Friday. FilGoal.com learnt Ultras Ahlawy members were prompted to leave the coastal city by lack of security, which seemed quite obvious after they fought with the home fans on the streets. The mass brawl resulted in tens of injuries on both sides. The police failed to contain the situation before army forces dispersed the crowds. According to FilGoal.com reporter, the affray erupted near the train station, where Masri's fans were waiting for their Ahli counterparts, including Ultras Ahlawy, to arrive. Both groups exchanged offensive chants before the verbal jousting turned into a battle. They used rocks, batons and even fireworks against each other. Ahli's game at Masri is the first Egyptian Premier League meeting between two popular teams since the January-25 Revolution. With no love lost between the fans of Ahli and Masri's, Friday's match was deemed a real test for security, which seems to be below-par across Egypt. The police have been anything but competent since the 18-day revolt that ended by the overthrow of ex-president Hosni Mubarak on 11 February. In the early days of the uprising, central security forces used live rounds on peaceful protesters. At least 600 were killed in the process. For days afterwards, the police completely withdrew from the streets as military troops solely handled security. As things were getting back to normal, the police gradually returned to the streets and adopted a friendly attitude, trying to do their job as law enforcers without any excesses that could prompt fresh demos. But apparently they are unable to maintain security, especially when it comes to football hooliganism. Early this month, Zamalek's ultras group White Knights invaded the Cairo Stadium pitch in the dying minutes of their team's match with Club Africain in the CAF Champions League. The invasion saw a number of hooligans damage the stadium while security personnel were mere bystanders. Later on, Egyptian authorities reconsidered the resumption of the league but eventually gave the thumbs up for the competition's restart. Last Wednesday, tens of Ittihad fans stepped onto the Alexandria Stadium pitch to assault several players during the team's training session, another incident that raised questions over the current security measures.
