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Port Said security chief sacked after Egyptian football riot

Comment: 0 February 3rd, 2012 by: admin

The spectacular failure and blatant inaction of police forces during the Wednesday riot that erupted during an Egyptian football match led to the sacking of two senior security officials.

With the chaos leading to almost 80 dead and hundreds injured, security chief Essam Samak was fired after aired video footage showed riot police standing idly in the sidelines as pandemonium engulfed the Port Said Stadium.

The riot, which broke out after the final whistle of home team Al-Masry’s 3-1 upset win over rivals Al-Alhy from Cairo, saw local fans attacking the visitors’ supporters with knives, stones and clubs.  The fatalities were said to have been due to suffocation from the stampede, as well as stabbing, head wounds, and impact from the fall from the stands.

Authorities reported that 47 individuals have been arrested for the incident.

Also sacked was the head of the country’s football association, according to an emergency parliament session following the incident.  During the session, which opened with a minute of silence, it was said that the board was dissolved, and investigators have placed its members under questioning.

A local TV station reported that after the session, members of the parliament were trapped inside the room as protesters barricaded the doors.

“Protesters shut the doors of the People’s Assembly and refused to let MPs leave,” reported Misr 25 TV.

Players from the Al-Ahly team voiced out their horror during a satellite interview, with one of them swearing to never participate in any match unless the situations is remedied for the victims.

“There are dead people lying on the ground!” said striker Emad Meteab.  “I won’t play football anymore until these people get justice.”

The incident caused consequential fury from Cairo residents, who took to the streets in protest against the police, as well as the country’s military rulers.

Protesters reportedly marched to the Cairo interior ministry, while police attempted to hold them back with barricades and tear gas.

“People are really angry, you could see the rage in their eyes,” Mohammed Abdel Hamid, an Al-Ahly supporter, told the BBC.

Global footballing body FIFA demanded that Egypt submit a full report on the incident.

The organisation’s president Sepp Blatter addressed Egypt’s FA president Samir Zahir declaring his support while demanding for further information.

“Today is a black day for football and we must take steps to ensure that such a catastrophe never happens again,” read the letter, according to Yahoo! News.

“Football is a force for good and we must not allow it to be abused by those who mean evil.  I await further news from you concerning the circumstances of this tragedy.”

Three days of national mourning will be observed.

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