Cairo stadium clashes: Egypt authorities halt football league matches after deaths

Egypt has suspended football league matches indefinitely after clashes at a stadium in Cairo left at least 22 people dead.

People were crushed after police fired tear gas at supporters of Zamalek who were trying to force their way in for a match against city rivals ENPPI.

The fans blamed the authorities for opening only a single gate.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the leaders of the Zamalek supporters group, the White Knights.

The last time the league was suspended was in 2012 after 74 fans died in rioting at a game in Port Said.

At least 20 people were also injured in Cairo on February 8 at the Air Defense Stadium, witnesses say.

Despite the violence, the match went ahead.

Egyptian football fans are often deeply politicized and played a role in the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Many people believe police in Port Said stood by in revenge for the fans’ role in anti-Mubarak unrest. Police deny the accusation.

Recently lifted restrictions on the numbers attending football matches, imposed after the deaths at Port Said, will now be re-imposed.

Egypt’s public prosecutor has ordered an investigation into the Cairo clashes.

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