No doubt that the Ultras Ahlawy storming the Egyptian FA's headquarters and wreaking havoc inside the association's building is a totally unacceptable demeanor. A barbaric action that will always be rejected whatsoever, just like when the same fan-group broke into their team's training pitch in protest over resuming domestic football. However, addressing the case properly would require understanding the motives behind their reaction as well as sanctioning the culprits here, as the fact remains that absence of justice is the very reason behind the - evidently - ugly conduct. The radical supporters have witnessed the deaths of some 74 of their cohorts in a draconian massacre that followed the final whistle of a league game seven months ago, and till press time, no tangible action has been taken against those suspected in the case, like so many other issues including the acquittal of policemen involved in killing unarmed protesters during the January 25 revolution and a myriad of other examples. To be honest, the FA or Ahli have nothing to do with these judicial issues, but on the other hand both institutions should have done better to contain the seething staunch fans who have been grieving all that long for the loss of their comrades. It all started with the team's players, some of whom took a holiday and travelled to enjoy time overseas at the time those who used to cheer on them were mourning their deceased members. Ahli's board of directors are not to exonerate of responsibility as well, they should have sounded flat refusal to the resumption of football activity until retribution against the murderers of their own fans is attained. But unfortunately, it was the other way around, and their faithful supporters were only to bear the brunt of such passiveness or maybe notorious stances. Meanwhile, the FA, the so-called governing body – even without a board – showed how nasty they could get when spokesman Azmi Megahed made a contentious statement saying ''My message to those who oppose the league resumption is: if you can do anything to stop it, just do it". The ultras had earlier made it loud and clear that they would not accept staging any domestic games until justice is served, even so, instead of endorsing their cause, listening to their desperate voices or at least appeasing their anger in case resumption of domestic action was a must before the final verdict against suspects is issued, an official comes out to incur their wrath! It is well known the Ultras' tangible role in the historic 18-day uprising where they capitalized on their vast experience in dealing with the brutal security forces to eventually topple a system riddled with corruption, embezzlement and nepotism. Now everyone is blaming the ardent fan group, who exercised a great deal of self-restraint since the Port-Said calamity against all odds, forgetting that they are at the end of their tether. Not defending the ultras' violent action, not even asking everyone to put themselves in their boots, though everyone should do so, it is just a call for fair judgment and holding all parties accountable for what happened. Once there is no one above law and genuine justice is served to bring every culprit to account, such shameful incidents would vanish from the Egyptian football landscape, once and for all.
