Egypt’s shock result
Former Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly was caught up in horrific scenes as at least 74 people were killed and 248 injured at a match in the Egyptian city of Port Said.
After Al-masry beat Al-ahly, the country’s top team, 3-1, hundreds of the winning club’s fans poured on to the field and attacked opposing players, supporters and security officers.
Ghaly, who made 34 appearances for Spurs between 2006 and 2009, is captain of Al-ahly and was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 75th-minute against Al-masry. He is believed to have been in the dressing-room when the violence erupted at the final whistle.
The fans chased the players and cornered their supporters on the field and around the stadium, throwing stones, fireworks and bottles at them, according to a security official. Although some players were injured, it is believed that none were killed.ahly player Mohamed Abo Treika described the violence as war. “This is not football. This is a war and people are dying in front of us,” he said. ‘There is no movement and no security and no ambulances.
“I call for the Premier League to be cancelled. This is a horrible situation and today can never be forgotten.”
The two teams have a long history of bad blood, and clashes have erupted in recent years between their fans. Thousands of supporters covered the field, according to a video posted online.
Soon after the violence, a game in Cairo between Al-ismailiya and Zamalek was called off in mourning for the deaths in Port Said. State TV showed video of sections of the Cairo stadium on fire. The announcer said angry fans of Zamalek protested against the cancellation and set some sections of the stadium on fire.
Security forces in Egypt had been keeping a lower profile since last year’s popular protests that ousted President Hosni Mubarak from power, allowing fans to smuggle knives into the stadium. The riot also threatened to destabilize the country once more.
The Muslim Brotherhood, the most powerful party in Egypt’s parliament, blamed supporters of the deposed Mubarak regime for promoting violence at the match as a way to bring back chaos to Egypt.the Egyptian Football Federation has announced an indefinite suspension of all leagues in the country following the violent clash- es.
The body issued two statements, announcing a period of mourning and a suspension of football in the country.
“The Egyptian federation has decided to stop the football leagues in all four divisions for an indefinite period after the violence that occurred in the game between Al Masry and Al-ahly, which represented a tragic shock to the centre of sport in general and the football family in particular,” one statement said.
The other added: “The federation has announced that Egyptian football will be in mourning for three days for the souls of those who have fallen victim to the violence that occurred in the wake of the Al MasryAl-ahly match.”
FIFA president Sepp Blatter issued a statement to express his sympathy for the families of the victims. “I am very shocked and saddened to learn this evening that a large number of football supporters have died or been injured following a match in Port Said, Egypt,” the statement said.
“My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives this evening. This is a black day for football. Such a catastrophic situation is unimaginable and should not happen.”
Courtesy Dailymail