Jaspar Mandaville's Post

On February 1^st, 2012, fans of the Egyptian soccer teams Al Masry and Al Ahly turned upon each other after an unexpected outcome for the game. In Port Said, Egypt, there was little debate that the win would go to Al Ahly. However, fans of both teams were shocked when Al Masry defeated Al Ahly in a 3-1 win. As some of the more dedicated fans, known as “ultras,” gloated and mourned over the game results, things escalated quickly and turned ugly. Ultras from both teams rioted on the field, the stands and in the exit corridors. Over the next couple hours, over 70 fans suffocated or were stabbed to death while trying to flee the angry ultras. This incident marks the most deadly soccer related case of violence worldwide since 1996.

There has been a great deal of debate and controversy concerning the Port Said police’s lack of intervention during the riots. Mohammed Abu Trika, one of the players, said: "People here are dying and no-one is doing a thing. It's like a war. Is life this cheap?" Others went even farther, saying that the police didn’t intervene for a reason. After resigning, Al Masry's manager  Kamal Abu Ali said: "This is not about soccer, this is bigger than that. This is a plot to topple the state.” The speculation over the reasons for the police and security not stepping in continued; “the security forces did this or allowed it to happen. The men of Mubarak are still ruling. The head of the regime has fallen but all his men are still in their positions. Where is the security? Where is the government?" said Port Said parliament member, Albadry Farghali. In their defense, the Port Said police department claimed that when they involed themselves in the past, they only ended up “smasing the skulls” of the rioters and eventually getting blaimed for the aftermath of the riots. However, the plice chief and prime minister of Port Said province both ended up resigning shortly after the incident.

Personally, I believe that the police should’ve intervened. It’s their job. In America the police are meant to “serve and protect,” and I imagine the police in Egypt are intended to follow a similar set of principles. Whenever the law enforcement falls short of that standard, it’s police negligence. However, I am undecided as to whether or not the government actually didn’t step in, in order to spark panic. It’s certainly possible, although it seems pretty drastic for a major nation’s government. However, the government in Egypt is in the middle of an immensely tormentous time and is certainly liable to intense episodes of corruption.