Egypt FA suspend all football activity after dozens killed at stadium

Eslam Omar , Monday 9 Feb 2015

Three days of mourning and a halt to all football activity announced by FA following stadium deaths

Zamalek
Soccer fans argue with security personnel as they attempt to enter a stadium before a scuffle broke out, on the outskirts of Cairo February 8, 2015 (Photo: Reuters)

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has announced three days of mourning and a stoppage of all football activity in the country after dozens died in a stadium crush on Sunday.

"The EFA board is in a continued meeting to follow-up the consequences and study [the events]," the association stated on their official website.

Egypt’s cabinet suspended the league on Monday in the wake of the Air Defence stadium disaster, following a meeting between Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and the interior, sports and health ministers to discuss the disaster.

According to the health ministry, 19 people died after clashes occurred between the police and Zamalek supporters before a league match with ENPPI.

Police claim they died due to a stampede, while the Zamalek Ultras White Knights said a criminal plot was pre-planned, blaming new security procedures that included a 'metal cage' at the stadium gates.

Investigations are still ongoing.

The match was open to the public, unlike most other games between Egyptian clubs since stadium riots in Port Said in 2012 left 72 people dead in the country's worst-ever sport disaster.

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