At least 74 dead after Egypt football riots
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At least 74 people were killed and 248 injured following a massive pitch invasion in Port Said, Egypt.
Al-Masry defeated bitter rivals Al-Ahly 3-1 in an Egyptian league game, but the result overshadowed by incredibly shocking scenes at the full time whistle.
Thousands of Al-Masry fans flooded the field and began assaulting fans and players of the Egyptian champions Al-Ahly.
A nasty game of cat and mouse was captured on TV as the Al-Ahly squad literally ran for cover whilst Al-Masry fans threw rocks and bottles at them.
One man told state TV he heard gunshots in the stadium, while a lawmaker from Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood said the police didn't prevent fans carrying knives from entering the stadium.
The two clubs have had a fractious relationship for some time, with several clashes occurring between fans over the years.
The melee was the worst cases of football violence in Egypt and the deadliest worldwide since 1996 when at least 78 people died and 180 others were injured in a stampede at a stadium in Guatemala City before a World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, horrific quotes from Al-Ahly players have reached the wires.
Mohamed Aboutrika: "The security forces left us, they did not protect us. One fan has just died in the dressing room in front of me."
Sherif Ekramy: "There were people dying in front of us. It's over. We've all made a decision that we won't play football any more. How will we play football after 70 people died? We can't think about it."
Also see:
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| An Egyptian soldier checks on a wounded football Al-Ahly fan Photo: Getty Images |
Al-Masry defeated bitter rivals Al-Ahly 3-1 in an Egyptian league game, but the result overshadowed by incredibly shocking scenes at the full time whistle.
Thousands of Al-Masry fans flooded the field and began assaulting fans and players of the Egyptian champions Al-Ahly.
A nasty game of cat and mouse was captured on TV as the Al-Ahly squad literally ran for cover whilst Al-Masry fans threw rocks and bottles at them.
One man told state TV he heard gunshots in the stadium, while a lawmaker from Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood said the police didn't prevent fans carrying knives from entering the stadium.
The two clubs have had a fractious relationship for some time, with several clashes occurring between fans over the years.
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| Al-Ahly players escape from the field as fans of Al-Masry rush after them Photo: Getty Images |
The melee was the worst cases of football violence in Egypt and the deadliest worldwide since 1996 when at least 78 people died and 180 others were injured in a stampede at a stadium in Guatemala City before a World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, horrific quotes from Al-Ahly players have reached the wires.
Mohamed Aboutrika: "The security forces left us, they did not protect us. One fan has just died in the dressing room in front of me."
Sherif Ekramy: "There were people dying in front of us. It's over. We've all made a decision that we won't play football any more. How will we play football after 70 people died? We can't think about it."
Also see:
