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Egyptian Prime Minister dissolves country's FA after Port Said riots
During an emergency assembly of the Egyptian parliament on Thursday morning, the decision was taken to dismiss FA president Samir Zaher and all of his staff.
Feb 2, 2012 11:06:00 AM
By Mark Doyle
The Prime Minister of Egypt, Kamal al-Ganzouri, has dissolved the country’s football association in response to the riots after Wednesday's clash between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly, which claimed the lives of at least 73 people.
The violence broke out when thousands of Al-Masry supporters streamed onto the pitch shortly after the full time whistle to attack Al-Ahly players and fans.
An emergency meeting was called by the Egyptian parliament for Thursday morning, during which Al-Ganzouri announced the dismissal of Egyptian FA president Samir Zaher and his entire staff.
Al-Ganzouri also revealed that the governor of Port Said province and the area's police chief have both resigned from their respective positions.
According to the Associated Press, there have been accusations from eyewitnesses that the riot police present at the ground made no attempt to stop Al-Masry fans as they moved to invade the pitch.
That view was backed up by Al-Ahly midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika, who claimed: "The security forces left us. They did not protect us. A fan just died in the dressing room in front of me."
Al-Ahly coach Manuel Jose has sought to have his contract terminated during a meeting with club president Hassan Hamdi, while players Mohamed Barakat and Emad Meteb have vowed never to play for the team again.
The Egyptian FA's final act before dissolution was to indefinitely suspend the Premier League.
The violence broke out when thousands of Al-Masry supporters streamed onto the pitch shortly after the full time whistle to attack Al-Ahly players and fans.
An emergency meeting was called by the Egyptian parliament for Thursday morning, during which Al-Ganzouri announced the dismissal of Egyptian FA president Samir Zaher and his entire staff.
Al-Ganzouri also revealed that the governor of Port Said province and the area's police chief have both resigned from their respective positions.
According to the Associated Press, there have been accusations from eyewitnesses that the riot police present at the ground made no attempt to stop Al-Masry fans as they moved to invade the pitch.
That view was backed up by Al-Ahly midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika, who claimed: "The security forces left us. They did not protect us. A fan just died in the dressing room in front of me."
Al-Ahly coach Manuel Jose has sought to have his contract terminated during a meeting with club president Hassan Hamdi, while players Mohamed Barakat and Emad Meteb have vowed never to play for the team again.
The Egyptian FA's final act before dissolution was to indefinitely suspend the Premier League.
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