Aswan riots (Photo by: Al-Ahram)
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has selected the Military Academy stadium to host the Egypt Cup quarterfinal match between Ahly and ENNPI on Wednesday 21 September.
Ahly eased into the last 16 by beating Kima Aswan 4-0 while ENNPI’s 2-1 win over Al-Rebat Wal-Anwarhanded them their qualification ticket.
The quarterfinals begin on Tuesday 20 September with Shorta v Petrojet, Ismaily v Beni Suef, Smouha v Haras El-Hodoud and Wadi Degla v Zamalek. Wednesday will see Asyut v Ittihad, Arab Contractors v El-Geish and Gouna v El-Nasr.
Ahly’s match with Kima Aswan witnessed hooliganism and clashes between police and the Cairo giant’s hardcore fans, Ultras Ahlawy, leaving 140 injured.
As a result, the EFA ordered Ahly to repair the damaged stands of the Cairo Stadium and play a home game on away soil.
Riots at Egyptian football matches have increased since the local police collapsed on 28 January amid demonstrations that ousted former president Hosni Mubarak.
In Tunisia, which also experienced a revolution, football fans have been turning their chants into political slogans especially against police brutality.
Ahly is hosting Tunisian side Esperance on Friday in the last round of the CAF Champions League group stage in a must-win battle for the Egyptians.
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