Dozens of Zamalek Club Ultras, known as the White Knights, closed the gates of the Ministry of Sports in Cairo to protest a decision denying them attendance at all football games Tuesday morning.
Ministry security officials negotiated with the youths to end their protest. The protest ended, although the protesters threatened escalation of their demands are not met.
Last week, Sports Minister al-Emary Farouq banned fans from attending local and African games, following a rampage that followed an African League match between Egypt’s al-Ahly and a Kenya team. The minister said the move was necessary to ensure the safety of supporters and facilities
A number of al-Ahly fans had raised banners attacking Egypt’s former military ruler Mohamed Hussein Tantawi and smashed some parts of the Borg al-Arab Stadium, run by the Armed Forces.
The stadium administration then announced that it would not host any further football competitions for local teams.
Egypt’s premier league kicked off in February in stadiums run by the Armed Forces, as a security measure to avoid violence a year following the Port Said massacre when over 70 Ahly fans were killed in Port Said Stadium after a match against al-Masry.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
