Al-Masry supporters flooded the pitch after their 3-1 home win against top side Al-Ahly last night. According to reports, stones, fireworks and bottles were thrown, and fans also set fire to the stands and injured players.
The incident marks the worst case of football violence in Egypt’s history.
Al-Ahly players fled to their changing rooms and called their in-house TV channel to give eye witness accounts and flag up the lack of security.
The Al-Ahly channel interviewed one of the club’s veteran players, Mohamed Abou-Treika, live on air from the changing rooms.
“The security forces left us, they did not protect us,” he said. “One fan has just died in the dressing room in front of me.
“This is not football. This is a war and people are dying in front of us. There is no movement and no security and no ambulances.”
The cabinet and parliament have called emergency meetings and three days of mourning has been declared.
The Egyptian health ministry said that most of the deaths were caused by concussion, deep head wounds and suffocation from the stampede.
It added that 40 people remain in a serious condition and are undergoing surgery.
The violence is being interpreted as an indication that Egypt’s police force remains ill-equipped to manage large crowds and demonstrations.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: “My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives. This is a black day for football. Such a catastrophic situation is unimaginable and should not happen.”
Pictures: Getty
