CBSNews.com  |  February 2, 2012

Egypt Army, Police Blamed For Soccer Bloodshed

Egyptian fans clash with riot police following Al-Ahly club soccer match against Al-Masry
club at the soccer stadium in Port Said, Egypt Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012. Some dozens of
Egyptian soccer fans were killed Wednesday in violence following a soccer match in Port
Said, when fans flooded the field seconds after a match against a rival team was over,
Egypt's Health ministry said. Credit: AP Photo

(CBS/AP) CAIRO - A narrow stadium exit turned into a death trap. Crowds of Egyptian soccer fans fleeing supporters of the opposing team armed with knives, clubs and stones rushed into the corridor, only to be crushed against a locked gate, their rivals attacking from behind, survivors and witnesses said.
The result was the world's worst soccer violence in 15 years, with at least 74 people crushed, suffocated or stabbed to death.

Many Egyptians, from the public to lawmakers, on Thursday blamed the police and the country's ruling military for failing to prevent the rioting the night before in the Mediterranean coastal city of Port Said.

Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri, in an emergency parliamentary session, announced he has dissolved the Egyptian Soccer Federation's board and referred its members for questioning by prosecutors about the violence. He also said the governor of Port Said province and the area's police chief have resigned.

CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips reports the police on duty at the Port Said game are even being accused by some of colluding in the violence. They seemed to do nothing to prevent the home team fans from flooding onto the field, and there may be an explanation in Egypt's recent history.

The ultras, backers of Al-Ahly club, were at the forefront of violent protests a year ago that led to the collapse of the police force, and in more recent months, they have clashed with soldiers during rallies demanding an end to military rule.

Now, conspiracy theories suggesting the police and army might have allowed the Ultras to come under attack in Port Said as retaliation for their involvement in the uprising are sweeping across Egypt, and making the security forces the focus of even greater public anger.

In an emergency session, Parliament Speaker Saad el-Katatni, of the Muslim Brotherhood, accused security authorities of hesitating to act, putting "the revolution in danger."

"This is a complete crime," said Abbas Mekhimar, head of parliament's defense committee. "This is part of the scenario of fueling chaos against Egypt."

Protests and a march on the Interior Ministry were planned Thursday against the police force over the violence. In the morning, dozens of angry protesters sealed off Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the 18-day uprising that toppled Mubarak, while others blocked the street in front of the nearby state TV building in preparation for the rallies.

The riot at the stadium in Port Said erupted when fans of the local team, Al-Masry, stormed the field following a rare 3-1 win against Al-Ahly, one of Egypt's most popular clubs.

Al-Masry supporters, armed with knives, sticks and stones, chased Al-Ahly players and fans, who ran toward the exits and up the stands to escape, according to witnesses.

Lines of riot police in the stadium largely did nothing to intervene, witnesses said. At one point, the stadium lights went out, plunging it into darkness. At the time, the TV sportscaster announcing the match said authorities shut them off to "calm the situation."

"We were surprised the police let them in that easy. The numbers were huge," said Ahmed Ghaffar, one of the visiting Al-Ahly fans at the stadium.

Original article here.