Egypt's Football Association headquarters (File photo: Ahram)
Egyptian police have surrounded the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) headquarters on Friday amid fears that it could be attacked by die-hard football fans, Ahram’s Arabic-language website reported.
The interior ministry said it had received threats that a group of hardcore supporters, widely known as Ultras, are planning to storm the EFA headquarters. The ministry did not clarify the reason for such a threat.
“I tried to convince the police that there are no threats, and I asked them to leave but they refused. They acted upon a complaint filed by someone,” EFA official Fawzi Ghanem said.
Five bullet proof vehicles were seen in front of the EFA headquarters. Police officials at the scene refused to comment, Ahram’s website added.
Unknown assailants, none of which was captured, attacked the headquarters last month, smashing its facade after hurling missiles and firecrackers.
Egypt’s hardcore football fans have been at loggerheads with the EFA over a number of issues since February’s Port Said disaster, which left more than 70 dead and hundreds after Masry supporters invaded the pitch to confront Ahly’s visiting contingent in an ill-tempered league game.
Egyptian authorities have enforced a crowd ban since then but it was recently lifted.
Three thousand Zamalek supporters are allowed to attend the team’s African Champions League game against Ghana’s Berekum Chelsea at Cairo’s Military Academy Stadium on Saturday.
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