Egypt football fans clash with police

Supporters of Egypt’s Al Ahly football club and police clashed on Thursday evening at Cairo International stadium, leaving 25 police injured.

“After the end of the game, some of the fans chanted anti-police slogans before hurling water bottles, seats and fireworks at the forces who were securing the game,” a statement released by the Interior Ministry read.

“On their way out, the fans have also torched a police vehicle and two civilian cars … 10 officers and 15 conscripts were injured as a result. The security forces managed to contain the situation and arrested a number of rioters,” the statement added.

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The clashes erupted shortly after the Egyptian club won a second successive African Super Cup trophy by beating Tunisia’s Sfaxien 3-2.

Following the incident, the Interior Ministry decided to “review its decision to lift the crowd ban,” according to the statement.

A video posted on Youtube showed Al Ahly fans, commonly known as Ultras, beating an officer with a stick
The person filming the 11-seconds video can be heard saying: “They killed him … they killed the officer.”

In reaction to the clashes, some Egyptians took to the Internet to report on the incident.

Responding to the hashtag #Ultras, twitter user @alrayahpage wrote: “5 Ultras and 6 security officers injured in clashes in a side street close to Salah Salem. Gunfire was heard,” while @darkman82j said, “Security hit ultras in the stadium as they chanted against the Interior ministry and –previous Interior minister – Habib al-Adly.”

Another user @MonaSosh wrote “They [the Egyptian police] are arresting anyone or any group wearing al Ahly T-shirt near Salah Salem. Be careful!”

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The match was held amid security concerns as Egypt witnessed deadly soccer riots in Feb. 2012 in the coastal city of Port Said, which left more than 70 dead and dozens injured.

Since the deadly incident, the Egyptian authorities suspended the local premier league competition until Feb. 2013, when the Egyptian Football Association held a game without any spectators.