Political Turmoil in North Africa Threatens to Disrupt Africa Cup of Nations

Political upheaval across North Africa threatens to throw a monkey wrench into the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria and Egypt – backed by Tunisia – likely to urge the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone until August matches scheduled for March. The Algerian and Egyptian soccer federations last month suspended league matches because of the turmoil. Critics charge the prolonged... 

Anti-Government Protests Reinforce Cleavages in Egyptian Soccer

A stalemate between anti-government protesters and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that has paralyzed the North African country for the past two weeks is deepening political and social cleavages in Egyptian soccer and positioning the country’s crowned national team in the camp of Mubarak supporters. The cleavages are evident in varying responses to the crisis by Cairo archrivals Al Ahly SC and... 

Zamalek SC Helps Mubarak Government Attempt to Restore Normalcy in Egypt

Storied soccer club Zamalek SC, keeping its eye on the suspended Egyptian Premier League and the African Champions League, is maintaining a rigorous training schedule despite an Egyptian military ban and the fact that many of its fans are playing a key role in anti-government demonstrations. Zamalek Football Director Hassan Ibrahim told Egypt’s government-owned Al Ahram Online that the club had... 

Egypt Extends Cancellation of Soccer League Indefinitely

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Friday extended the cancellation of protest-wracked country’s soccer league indefinitely, saying matches would resume with a “return of stability.” The EFA initially suspended matches in the last 10 days in a bid to prevent the soccer pitch to become a further rallying point for protesters demanding an end to the 30-year rule of Egyptian President... 

Egyptian Ultra Tactics Evident in the Battle for Cairo’s Tahrir Square

The organizational skills of the ultras, fanatical Cairo soccer fans, are emerging as opponents and supporters of embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak determine the fate of the 82-year-old Egyptian leader’s 30-year rule. The influence of the ultras, supporters of bitter Cairo rivals Al Ahly Sports Club and Al Zamalek, is evident in the battle tactics employed by Mubarak’s opponents... 

Soccer Fans Key to Imminent Cairo Street Battle

The coming hours could determine whether embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s opponents and particularly the Ultras, fanatic soccer fans of rival Cairo clubs Al Ahly and Al Zamalek, have the wherewithal to fight the apparently trained pro-Mubarak forces. The Ultras are one of the few, if not the only group among Mubarak’s opponents, that not only have an organization but are battle-hardened... 

Egypt Crisis Puts African Teams in Financial Jeopardy

Egypt’s political crisis has put African national soccer teams that participated in last month’s seven-nation inaugural Nile Basin tournament in financial jeopardy. The teams, including those of Kenya, Uganda and Congo, had counted on money earned during the tournament to finance their preparations for next year’s Africa Cup. The Nile Basin tournament was funded by the Egyptian oil... 

Libya and Algeria Extend Soccer Match Cancellations to Thwart Protests

With anti-government protests sweeping through North Africa, soccer match cancellations have become the flavour of the day. The cancellations are intended to prevent the pitch from becoming a platform for protests. Soccer fans have played a key role in the turmoil, causing the Algerian Football Federation to announce on Tuesday the cancellation of its friendly against Tunisia, scheduled for February... 

Egyptian Military Bans All Soccer Training

In a clear indication of the role of Egyptian soccer is playing in the apparent end to the rule of one of the Middle East’s most powerful rulers, Egypt’s military last week not only forced the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) to cancel all matches, but also visited clubs to impose an immediate stop to all training.    In an interview with the Sofia News Agency, Stoycho Mladenov,... 

Riots Force US Cancellation of Egyptian Soccer Friendly

The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), bowing to reality Monday, cancelled the US National soccer team’s friendly against Egypt, scheduled to be played in Cairo on February 9. “We were excited about the opportunity to play against Egypt, but due to the current situation all parties agreed it was best to cancel the match,” USSF president Sunil Gulati said on the federation’s... 

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