World Cup 2010

Egypt-Algeria Controversy Rages On

Remonstrations have only just begun...

Nov 23, 2009 4:15:54 PM

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The aftermath of Egypt's ill-fated World Cup play-off with Algeria continues to drag on.

Accusations of violence, media manipulation and dishonesty from both sides flood the airwaves in the Arab world, with little sign of a peaceful conclusion.

Tensions were high even prior to the match between the sides in Cairo that Egypt won 2-0, and afterwards rumours were in full swing. Two Algerian newspapers quickly spread rumours of deaths in Cairo that later went unconfirmed, and then denied by the Algerian ambassador.

Such rumour-mongering raised the stakes ahead of the match in Sudan. Personages in each country viewed each other with mutual suspicion.

Things changed little after the match, with yet more talks of deaths, violence, and attacks on supporters' buses, although reliable details were extremely hard to come by amidst unconfirmed reports.

Even the club game is feeling the effects of nationalist fighting. Egyptian club Al Ahly are on the verge of selling Algerian teenager Amir Sayoud to Lierse of Belgium due to the midfielder's fears for his safety, while Amr Zaki has said that a move to Portsmouth will no longer go ahead due to their having an Algerian - Nadir Belhadj - in their ranks, as well as an Israeli.

Meanwhile an fans' site known as 'Egyptian Players' has even gone to the lengths of preparing a dossier for FIFA on some of the events surrounding the match.

As expected this sees things almost exclusively from an Egyptian point of view, but nonetheless its contents could provide much embarassment for certain Algerians.

Among them is a prominent Algerian singer, apparently caught on camera amidst fans angrily proclaiming that they will journey to Sudan purely for revenge.

Politics

That the issue has become heavily politicised is undeniable. Consul staff members, ambassadors and spokespersons have commented on the issue for days; over the past weekend, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak became the highest-ranking official to speak his mind.

The BBC quotes him as saying to Parliament, "Egypt does not tolerate those who hurt the dignity of its sons."We don't want to be drawn into impulsive reactions. I am agitated too, but I restrain myself."

Furthermore, it was widely reported on Arab TV that Algerian fans were flown to the match in Sudan by military planes, calling into question the neutrality of the situation.

Goal.com Arabic chief editor Mohammed Awaad indicates that there is little sign of the issue quietly fading into the background, and states that media manipulation and the actions of political elites are responsible for much of the controversy.

He said earlier today, "This is no longer about football, and who qualified or who didn't. It's now about the respective populations, who feel that their respective dignities have been assaulted.

"The media are coming in for a lot of criticism, but most of the experts in the Arab world see that there are political hands behind the events.

"Egyptians, for example, may see this as Algeria's forcing them to withdraw lucrative investment from their country to allow others in. There is a lot of talk of conspiracy."

That the Beautiful Game has resulted in such ugly scenes in stadiums and even in boardrooms and banks is surely disappointing for world governing body FIFA at a time when the world should be looking ahead to December 4's World Cup draw. What is more, that the controversy will be over by then is looking ever more unlikely an occurrence.

Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com

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