Ahly's die-hard supporters (Ultras Ahlawy) briefly stormed the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo to defy a crowd ban during their side's 4-1 Egyptian Premier League win over Gouna on Saturday.

Egyptian football authorities have opted against calling off the game, which went ahead as scheduled.

The ardent fans filled the northern stands of the army-owned stadium after security forces were instructed not to impede them.

They lit numerous flares and hurled insults at Egyptian sports minister El-Amry Farouk, a former Ahly board member, before leaving the venue 10 minutes after kick-off.

"The Egyptian Football Association board will convene tomorrow to decide which action would be taken in that matter," EFA vice chairman Hassan Farid said in a television interview.

Ultras Ahlawy were infuriated after the EFA imposed an indefinite crowd ban in the wake of fan troubles in some regional and continental encounters featuring the so-called big three - Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily.

Ultras White Knights, the hardcore supporters of Cairo's Zamalek, endorsed the stance of their bitter foes, saying they had given the EFA two days to lift the crowd ban. They had not specified what action they might take if their demand was not accepted.

Zamalek are due to face Ismaily on Sunday.

The EFA has initially postponed the league for an indefinite period in fear of fan troubles but backtracked on their decision one day later.

Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily have already secured their place in the final playoff, which should start at the end June. However, the EFA is likely to postpone the mini-league phase, given planned protests against President Mohamed Morsi's rule on 30 June.

Easy win

Group A leaders Ahly fell behind to a 16th-minute goal from Gouna's Arafa El-Sayed, who made the most of a defensive blunder, but stormed back to claim an easy win and go 10 points clear of second-placed ENPPI.

Veteran midfielder Mohamed Barakat, who announced that he would retire at the end of the season, restored parity after converting a penalty on 17 minutes and striker Ahmed Abdel-Zaher put Ahly ahead with a superb header four minutes later.

Promising midfielder Ahmed Nabil "Manga" added the third with a powerful low shot on 31 minutes and Shehab Ahmed completed the rout with a stoppage-time strike.

During their goal celebrations, the Red Devils' players ripped off their shirts to reveal a vest with a dedication to Barakat, who formed the backbone of a hugely successful side that dominated domestic and African football during the past decade.

Gouna's defeat leaves them fourth from bottom in the group. The bottom three in each group will enter a playoff to determine the four teams who will go down.

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