Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The U.S. Coptic Association denounced what occurred at a recent match between al-Ahlī and Al-Zamālik football clubs, when Al-Ahlī fans raised signs with a cross on them, portraying Al-Zamālik as a foreign club pertaining to the English. This implied that Christians and the cross stand for treachery, and that Christians are foreigners in this country and traitors, something the association fully rejects.

 

During the game in May al-Ahlī fans hung the Zamālik flag upside down, with the English flag above it, and hoisted a sign saying 'Al-Mukhtalat club is for the English only' (Reviewer: Al-Mukhtalat is the old name for the Zamālik club).

 

Another sign was raised with the phrase 'to the ash heap of history' on it.

 

These events were described by Zamālik Board member Ra’ūf Jāsir as racist, and could spark sedition.

 

The Association denounced the silence of al-Ahlī board and the Egyptian Football Federation regarding the matter.

 

The Head of the Association, Michael Munīr, expressed his anger at the behavior of the spectators and the silence of officials. He said there should be a strong response to such incidents.

 

Munīr blamed the Ministry of Interior for what happened, saying that the police should not have allowed the signs to enter the stadium in the first place.