Security forces were widely blamed for failing to stop the Port Said disaster (Photo: Reuters)
The Egyptian interior ministry has on Tuesday set 10 conditions for securing football games in the country in the wake of the Port Said disaster which left more than 70 people dead on the first of February.
The ministry has declined to secure any matches since coming under fire for failing to protect Ahly's visiting contingent during the infamous Egyptian Premier League game against Masry in Port Said.
All domestic football activities have been suspended since and the league season was called off earlier this month.
Cairo's Zamalek played two home African Champions League games behind closed doors due to a crowd ban imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after their game against Tunisia's Club Africain last year witnessed a pitch invasion.
In a letter sent to the Egyptian Football Association, the interior ministry insisted it would not agree to secure any matches unless its demands were fulfilled.
"There should be video surveillance equipment in all stadia to monitor everything in order to help us identify the rioters and capture them. There should be also metal detectors, which the clubs should pay for rather paying millions of pounds to buy players," the ministry said.
"Plans should be drawn up to ensure safe exit for fans in case of emergency ... and strict measures should be applied to put an end to all troubles caused by the crowd, including the hurling of insults and use of fireworks.
"Egyptian Football Association employees and some members of the Ultras fan groups should take part in organizing the entrance of fans. The clubs' board of directors should also lower the tickets for the stands allocated for Ultras to avoid the entrance of supporters who do not have tickets."
The interior ministry is traditionally responsible for securing any sporting event in Egypt, given the constant financial problems of the clubs, some of whom are struggling to stay afloat.
The Premier League had already been cancelled but the lower division clubs demanded that the EFA give them the go-ahead to resume football activities.
However, they are highly unlikely to be able to follow the new instructions set by the interior ministry.
"Clubs should study the possibility of constructing a fence to separate security forces and the fans. The fence should be four rows above the security personnel," the ministry added.
"We call on the chairmen of clubs to sit down with the fan groups, especially the Ultras, to settle on ways to strict to the principles of sportsmanship.
"We do our best to make sure all parties are secure in football games," the ministry concluded.
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