Decision To Close Games To Public Likely To Anger Egyptian Public

Egyptian authorities have expanded a ban on fans attending football matches to include int'l as well as domestic games "in a bid to prevent violence that is likely to backfire and spark renewed incidents," according to James M. Dorsey of MIDDLE EAST ONLINE. Sports Minister Al-Emary Farouq announced the ban from int'l matches "following incidents in African championship games" involving Cairo clubs Al Ahli and Al Zamalek SC as well as Ismaili SC. The ban "is certain to upset militant, highly politicized, street battle-hardened fans or ultras divided over verdicts announced in January and last month in the trial against those responsible for the death last year of 74 Al Ahli fans in a politically loaded brawl in the Suez Canal city of Port Said," and opposed to the already existing barring of supporters from recently restarted domestic matches (MIDDLE EAST ONLINE, 4/11).