Ultras Ahlawy, a group of hardcore football fans supporting Cairo's leading Ahly club, called for a march Thursday to push for faster investigations into the violence at a Port Said football match that left 74 people dead.
“We are fed up and our patience has run out,” the ultras said on their Facebook page. “We have waited for days and weeks — for more than 40 days. It is time to take action while keeping our movements peaceful and retaining the faith that law will bring us justice.”
On 1 February, fans of the home Masry team flooded the pitch in Port Said Stadium seconds after a victory over Ahly, leading to hundreds of injuries in addition to those killed.
In the weeks following the match, demonstrations in Suez and at the Interior Ministry in Cairo protested what the demonstrators described as lax security measures during the match. At least 17 died in these subsequent demonstrations.
The Ultras Ahlawy statement called on Egyptians to assemble at the Ahly Club at 9 am on Thursday to get retribution for the martyrs.
The statement added that Ultras Ahlawy protested against oppression, corruption and the suppressive regime even before the 25 January revolution began.
“Ultras Ahlawy is the only faction in society, besides the free revolutionaries, who took part in the revolution to liberate the country without waiting to reap any benefits, like several others,” the ultras said.
The public prosecution, which launched its investigation into the incidents the same night the clashes took place, has yet to announce the results. News reports last month said suspects alleged businessmen close to Gamal Mubarak — deposed President Hosni Mubarak’s son — paid them to start the clashes.
