Cabinet Spokesperson Hossam Qaweesh rejected an accusation levelled against the Interior Ministry over the killing of fans from the Zamalek Club. Clashes with security occurred on Sunday evening when the would-be spectators were prevented from attending a Zamalek-Enppi match.
22 fans were killed during the scuffle.
In response to the charges, Qaweesh said in a phone call with a talk show aired on the privately-owned Sada al-Balad TV channel that, “Such charges are planned in advance to be levelled anytime. These types of accusations are aimed at police after any accident.”
“There was no need for the accident to occur, regardless. The fans did not respect the security measures in place, nor did they try to purchase tickets,” he said adding that forensic doctors will clarify the reasons behind the deaths: asphyxia or crush injuries due to the stampede.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
