After Deadly Soccer Riots, Egyptians Blame Military - Several lawmakers suggest the ruling military intentionally let the violence occur.
In the wake of Wednesday's deadly soccer riots that left 74 dead and at least another 200 injured, many in Egypt are directing their anger over the incident at the nation's ruling military and local police.
The Associated Press reports that some military critics -- including several members of parliament -- went so far as to suggest that the lapse in security that allowed the violence to occur was intentional, "aimed at stoking the country's insecurity since the Feb. 11 fall of former leader Hosni Mubarak." Still others blamed the police for standing by out of vengeance against a group of die-hard soccer fans known as the "Ultras," who have long clashed with law enforcement.
Clashes erupted after a football match between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Al-Masry teams in Port Said
Here's how one anti-military protester explained things to Reuters: "The military council wants to prove that the country is heading towards chaos and destruction. They are Mubarak's men."
The deadly riot broke out after Port Said's Al-Masry soccer team pulled of a surprise win against their fierce rival, and the best team in the country, Al-Ahly. Al-Ahly fans rushed for the stadium exit, only to find steel doors, bolted shut. The resulting stampede killed dozens. Others were killed after either either falling or being thrown from terraces in the stadium.
Interior ministry officials have taken a more classic approach to placing blame during a sporting match. The referee is at fault, they say. According to CNN, they believe the ref should have stopped the game early as violent clashes became more intense. They deny the police were compliant in the riots, saying: "Our policemen tried to contain them, but not engage."
Violence is common after soccer matches in Egypt, and it played a role in the protests last year that overthrew Mubarak. A group of experienced rioters, called "Ultras" for the Al-Ahly team, developed such significant experience clashing with police that they became critical defenders of the Tahrir Square protests as Mubarak's security forces tried to crack down, Reuters explains. They've since had an ongoing role in the ensuing anti-military protests in the country.
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 4:14 p.m.: CNN and Al Jazeera are reporting that the estimated total number of injured in the Egyptian soccer riots is about 1,000, with approximately 156 critically injured. That's according to Dr. Hisham Shiha, a spokesperson for Egypt's health ministry.
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 3:33 p.m.: At least 73 people are dead and 180 injured in Port Said, Egypt, after spectators at a soccer match took to the field following a surprising win over Egypt's best team.
The Associated Press describes how the riots started: "A security official and a medic said fans of the home team, Al-Masry, swarmed the field after a rare 3-1 win against Al-Ahly, Egypt's top team. They threw stones, fireworks, and bottles at the fans and injured some players."
Egyptian State TV played clips from the riots showing parts of the stadium on fire. It's now up on Youtube.
Quoting James Montague, who's written about soccer in the Middle East, CNN said the level of violence following the match was on a scale that's "never been seen before," even while it's "not unheard of to have organized violence between football clubs" in Egypt.
According to the BBC, all premier level games have been canceled in the country and the new Egyptian parliament will hold an emergency session on Thursday, following what is being described as the worst soccer disaster in the country's history. ( slate.com )
In the wake of Wednesday's deadly soccer riots that left 74 dead and at least another 200 injured, many in Egypt are directing their anger over the incident at the nation's ruling military and local police.
The Associated Press reports that some military critics -- including several members of parliament -- went so far as to suggest that the lapse in security that allowed the violence to occur was intentional, "aimed at stoking the country's insecurity since the Feb. 11 fall of former leader Hosni Mubarak." Still others blamed the police for standing by out of vengeance against a group of die-hard soccer fans known as the "Ultras," who have long clashed with law enforcement.
Clashes erupted after a football match between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Al-Masry teams in Port Said
Here's how one anti-military protester explained things to Reuters: "The military council wants to prove that the country is heading towards chaos and destruction. They are Mubarak's men."
The deadly riot broke out after Port Said's Al-Masry soccer team pulled of a surprise win against their fierce rival, and the best team in the country, Al-Ahly. Al-Ahly fans rushed for the stadium exit, only to find steel doors, bolted shut. The resulting stampede killed dozens. Others were killed after either either falling or being thrown from terraces in the stadium.
Interior ministry officials have taken a more classic approach to placing blame during a sporting match. The referee is at fault, they say. According to CNN, they believe the ref should have stopped the game early as violent clashes became more intense. They deny the police were compliant in the riots, saying: "Our policemen tried to contain them, but not engage."
Violence is common after soccer matches in Egypt, and it played a role in the protests last year that overthrew Mubarak. A group of experienced rioters, called "Ultras" for the Al-Ahly team, developed such significant experience clashing with police that they became critical defenders of the Tahrir Square protests as Mubarak's security forces tried to crack down, Reuters explains. They've since had an ongoing role in the ensuing anti-military protests in the country.
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 4:14 p.m.: CNN and Al Jazeera are reporting that the estimated total number of injured in the Egyptian soccer riots is about 1,000, with approximately 156 critically injured. That's according to Dr. Hisham Shiha, a spokesperson for Egypt's health ministry.
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 3:33 p.m.: At least 73 people are dead and 180 injured in Port Said, Egypt, after spectators at a soccer match took to the field following a surprising win over Egypt's best team.
The Associated Press describes how the riots started: "A security official and a medic said fans of the home team, Al-Masry, swarmed the field after a rare 3-1 win against Al-Ahly, Egypt's top team. They threw stones, fireworks, and bottles at the fans and injured some players."
Egyptian State TV played clips from the riots showing parts of the stadium on fire. It's now up on Youtube.
Quoting James Montague, who's written about soccer in the Middle East, CNN said the level of violence following the match was on a scale that's "never been seen before," even while it's "not unheard of to have organized violence between football clubs" in Egypt.
According to the BBC, all premier level games have been canceled in the country and the new Egyptian parliament will hold an emergency session on Thursday, following what is being described as the worst soccer disaster in the country's history. ( slate.com )
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