Port Said turns to uprising focal point

Disaster and soccer have had a distressing relationship almost since the game wormed its way into the world's hearts and minds.

The list of countries that have seen fans attend a game from which they never made it home is depressingly long. The Hillsborough Stadium disaster in 1989 saw 96 Liverpool fans killed and was a turning point in the history of the game in England.

What happened in Port Said on February 1 is going to be a turning point in the history of Egypt as a nation. It could prove to be the catalyst that takes the uprising of the early part of 2011 - which swept Hosni Mubarak from power - to the next stage, though considering what happened after the dictator departed (or, rather, what didn’t happen), nobody will take anything for granted.

More on the violence in Egypt:

• Five die in Friday violence
• Two protesters killed by police
• Soccer deaths spark new unrest
• Egpyt paralyzed by protests
• Coach, players reconsider futures
• Assistant barely escapes violence
• Players choose retirement after tragedy
• Blatter asks for answers
• Bob Bradley offers his support
• FIFA president seeks to reinstate leaders

The future of the country is, of course, not on the minds on those who lost loved ones last Wednesday as Al Ahly, one of Egypt’s two biggest clubs (along with Cairo rivals Zamalek), traveled north to take on Al Masri. At the match, the home fans charged the visitors and 74 people lost their lives.

In the bad old days in England, any untoward incident in a stadium was quickly laid by the media at the feet and fists of the fans, and blame quickly followed by police and politicians. This basic instinct was sometimes correct but sometimes, as in the case of Hillsborough, badly wrong. Last week in Egypt, however, it was different. The country has been in mourning, but there is also a rising tide of anger at those who many think are responsible – not the fans, but those still in power and the security forces.

Politics is absent from soccer in very few countries, but in Egypt it is hard to imagine just how close that relationship is, especially in recent times. Mubarak, like other dictators in the region (whether they are based in Tehran, Baghdad or Tripoli), was never slow to use the popularity of the game, which cuts across all divides in Egypt - including class, religion or politician persuasion - to increase his own standing.

The beautiful game can wriggle out of the tightest embrace to bite back. In June 2009, Iran, convulsed by popular demonstrations at home, watched in shock, and for many, excitement, as members of their beloved national team donned green armbands in a vital World Cup qualifier in Seoul: an open display of support for the opposition candidate at the recently-contested (and according to the opposition, manipulated) election.

Egypt is as passionate about soccer as Iran, if not more so. For one thing, it has the Ultras, the hardcore fans who take after those in places like Italy and Serbia. Increasingly politicized over the years, these young men were already well-organized, disaffected and accustomed to clashing with security forces during the Mubarak era. It was perhaps inevitable that they would play a prominent part in the Egyptian edition of the Arab Spring.

During the initial protests that started in January 2011 in Tahrir Square, fans battled with security forces, helping others to lose their fear of fighting back and helping to repel pro-Mubarak supporters on camels on February 2. Nine days later, the old man was gone, but that doesn’t mean that democracy followed. The fans, as well as others, have been increasingly frustrated with the fact that the people’s revolution was in danger of becoming not much more than a military coup. Mubarak was gone, elections had been held but the military council, backed by the hated security forces, was calling the shots.

The hardcore at clubs like Al Ahly (who are currently part of a united front with rivals Zamalek to fight back against what they see as a general attack on fans after the events in Port Said), have been vocal since the departure of Mubarak in calling for the military council to go the same way. It didn’t stop at chanting. Fans have been fighting in the streets, stormed the State Security offices in February and were involved in September’s siege of the Israeli embassy and street violence around Tahrir Square late last year in which more than 50 people were killed.

TRAGEDY IN EGYPT

Football violence rears its ugly head in Egypt. Here's a look at the tragedy from the soccer stadium in Port Said.

It is this activity that has led to the widespread belief that what happened in Port Said was not a simple soccer riot but the generals getting revenge on the hardcore fans of Al Ahly - fans who have proven to be one of their most hardcore opponents. Debates have been raging as to whether the large number of Al Masri followers with weapons were actually fans of the club or rented troublemakers working on behalf of the regime. Mubarak was accused of something similar last year amid reports of prisoners being released to attack protestors. However, there are other questions, such as why did the police do nothing, or why were the stadium gates locked, preventing Al Ahly fans from escaping.

These questions are being asked in a forceful manner. Seven people have been killed as protestors stormed the country’s interior ministry seeking answers, clashing with police and demanding the end of the generals. Another five died in Suez. There were those that had become weary of the ultras - the constant protests, demonstrations and upheaval - but now there is pressure coming from all sides. The Muslim Brotherhood, the biggest political party after January’s parliamentary elections, now wants the presidential elections that were due to be held in June to take place in April or May. A civilian council, appointed by the army, has proposed something similar and requested that nominations for the presidency should be allowed from February 23 (and not April 15) to try to calm the situation.

What this tragedy, whether orchestrated or not, may have done is unite the country to a much greater extent than before against the ruling military council. It is possible that it could contribute to genuine democracy in the country and civilian rule. If so, and it may sound trite, their deaths, shocking and tragic though they were, may not have been completely in vain.