Fans and police are reported to have clashed outside the Air Defense
Stadium, resulting in the death of at least 20 people in Cairo.
All football league matches in Egypt have been suspended until
further notice following trouble outside the Air Defense Stadium in
Cairo which reportedly resulted in the death of least 20 people.
Fans
and police are said to have clashed ahead of the top-of-the-table
Premier League encounter between Zamalek and ENPPI on Sunday.
Supporters
were reported to have been crushed as they attempted to enter the
stadium for a game between the two Cairo clubs and tear gas was fired by
police.
Pictures posted on the Facebook page of Zamalek fans,
known as the "White Knights", showed supporters crushed against a fence
in a tight enclosure outside the stadium.
The official death toll
has not been confirmed, with various reports of how many lost their
lives on what was another dark day for Egyptian football.
Three years ago the league was also suspended after 74 fans were killed following riots at a fixture in Port Said.
Sunday's game still went ahead despite the chaotic scenes outside the stadium and ended in a 1-1 draw.
FIFA
president Sepp Blatter sent a letter of condolence to Egyptian Football
Association president Mohamed Gamal, vowing to assist in any way
possible.
Blatter wrote: "I would like to express my deepest
condolences to the Egyptian football community for the tragic events
that occurred at last night's match in Cairo between Zamalek and ENPPI,
"My
thoughts and sympathies are with the families of all those who have
lost their lives yesterday evening. It is so sad that a game of
football, which should be the scene of joy and positive emotions, should
be overshadowed in this way.
"We await the results of the
investigation into this tragedy and are ready to provide the Egyptian
Football Association with any support they may need in dealing with the
aftermath of this event."
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