SUMMARY

The conflict between the Supporters of al-Ahly football team and the Supporters of al-Masry football team in Port Said began when the local team, al-Masry, beat a national team, al-Ahly, with three to one in a premier league match. After the game, which took place on 1 February 2012, many fans entered the stadium field armed with sticks and clashes erupted. It was reported that the violence was sparked due to some of the al-Ahly fans’ posters and supporters of the al-Masry football team reportedly attacked the supporters of the al-Ahly football team. The police held back during the clashes and also turned off the stadium’s electricity. In the aftermath, the police were heavily criticised for not being able to halt the violence which claimed 74 lives. A number of leading politicians and security officials were fired after the violence, including the governor of Port Said.

In March 2013, a court upheld the death sentences of 21 people for their involvement in the clashes. A number of other people, including two senior police officers, received jail sentences. The court ruling caused demonstrations in both Cairo and Port Said.

The non-state conflict between the Supporters of al-Ahly football team and the Supporters of al-Masry football team is first included in UCDP data in 2012. On 1 February of that year, a major clash between the two supporter groups resulted in 74 fatalities.