Soccer Massacre Changes Everything for Egypt

The one year anniversary of the start of the revolution, 25 January, passed with celebrations, remembrances and protests to demand that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) turn over power to the People’s Assembly. All of this was as anticipated and the day passed as Egyptians considered how far they have come and the great distance they still must go to achieve the transition to democracy.

Two days earlier, on 23 January, the People’s Assembly opened, its members chosen by a free and fair election. Speeches were made and agendas were set as the members got down to the business of setting policy for the newly forming democracy. In the coming months, the constitution must be revived and a presidential election held.

Then, on 1 February, a soccer game between legendary rivals, Al Ahly and Al Masry in Port Said ended in a violent clash among fans of the opposing teams that left 74 people dead and many more injured. There were reports from fans that gates to the pitch were left open during the game enabling supporters to storm from the stands at the end of the game. During this melee, the lights went out and the exit gates were locked causing people to be trapped in a narrow corridor where some were trampled and others suffocated. Egyptians were in shock and the People’s Assembly declared three days of mourning and ordered an investigation.

This incident changed everything for Egypt. Questions have been raised about who was responsible for the unpardonable lack of security that enabled the perpetrators to bring knives and sticks into the match. Why were the gates opened and why were the exits locked? Was the power failure just an accident?

Some reports have hypothesized that this was a well planned and executed massacre of innocent people and that SCAF or operatives from the Mubarak organization could be responsible. Paranoia runs deep. Protesters stormed back to Tahrir Square the next morning and marched to the Ministry of the Interior causing police to retaliate with tear gas and bird shot, killing and injuring more people.

As visitors in Cairo, we feel quite a bit more nervous about being suddenly at the wrong place at the wrong time. We have talked with other guests in the hotel here in Zamelek who were staying in a hotel near downtown and they reported watching the police storm a field hospital, killing a doctor. They decided to move to our hotel for their safety. Here in the district where many embassies are located and upscale shops line 26 July Street, we are in pleasant isolation from all of the distress and violence, but not that far away!

So, we have taken a bus to Alexandria where we hope the situation will be calmer. Egypt has not been so comfortable from the start for us but now, our comfort has been disturbed to the edge of our tolerance level, and we’re wondering how long we should stay. Jordan beckons.