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| Egypt football violence: prime minister dissolves national board | Egypt football violence: prime minister dissolves national board |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Egypt's prime minister has dissolved the Egyptian Football Federation's board and referred its members for questioning by prosecutors after post-match clashes that left more than 70 of the club's fans dead. | Egypt's prime minister has dissolved the Egyptian Football Federation's board and referred its members for questioning by prosecutors after post-match clashes that left more than 70 of the club's fans dead. |
| The prime minister Kamal el-Ganzouri announced the decision during Thursday's emergency parliamentary session, a day after a match between Al-Ahly and Al-Masry in Port Said had devastating consequences. | |
| El-Ganzouri also says the governor of Port Said province and the area's police chief have resigned. According to the Associated Press, witnesses have claimed that riot police stood by as supporters of home team Al-Masry rushed the field after their 3-1 win over Al-Ahly. | El-Ganzouri also says the governor of Port Said province and the area's police chief have resigned. According to the Associated Press, witnesses have claimed that riot police stood by as supporters of home team Al-Masry rushed the field after their 3-1 win over Al-Ahly. |
| The al-Ahly coach Manuel José, meanwhile, has returned to Portugal to consider his future. | The al-Ahly coach Manuel José, meanwhile, has returned to Portugal to consider his future. |
| "I was beaten with fists and kicks to the neck, head and feet. [In the dressing room] I saw our fans die before us and we were unable to do anything. Nothing happened to any of the players but we feel overwhelming sadness and the return flight was made in silence, full of respect for the lives of our fans who died. | "I was beaten with fists and kicks to the neck, head and feet. [In the dressing room] I saw our fans die before us and we were unable to do anything. Nothing happened to any of the players but we feel overwhelming sadness and the return flight was made in silence, full of respect for the lives of our fans who died. |
| "I have to think about my life differently now. Although everybody loves me greatly here, this experience has changed my life completely." | "I have to think about my life differently now. Although everybody loves me greatly here, this experience has changed my life completely." |
| His assistant, Pedro Barny, said: "What happened was an unspeakable catastrophe. From the beginning of the game, the fans of the opposing team were allowed to fire rockets and stones at us without any intervention. | His assistant, Pedro Barny, said: "What happened was an unspeakable catastrophe. From the beginning of the game, the fans of the opposing team were allowed to fire rockets and stones at us without any intervention. |
| "In the end, it turned into a state of madness without any role for the security in the stands. We tried to save the lives of some of the fans, but many died before our eyes." | "In the end, it turned into a state of madness without any role for the security in the stands. We tried to save the lives of some of the fans, but many died before our eyes." |
| The club confirmed José had been given permission to return to Portugal, saying: "José is going through a bad psychological situation after the events of Port Said." | The club confirmed José had been given permission to return to Portugal, saying: "José is going through a bad psychological situation after the events of Port Said." |
| The Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, called the events a "black day for football", adding: "I am very shocked and saddened to learn that a large number of football supporters have died or been injured … My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives. Such a catastrophic situation is unimaginable and should not happen." |