Tragedy in Port Said - Updated

Port Said, Egypt. The death toll has risen to 80 since Thursday’s violence at the football match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly, the former winning 3-1 which should have been the spark for celebration. Bob Bradley’s new home produced the worse soccer violence in over a decade.

Of many reports the reasons focus in on the relationship between football and politics in Egypt. ‘The Ultras’ - who support Al-Ahly and were anti-government during the recent uprising in Egypt have made the claim that security forces sat back and let the home fans attack. The police, aware of the delicate yet volatile political situation, may have feared their interaction would indeed spark a new wave of rioting. It goes without saying - sport and politics is a dangerous cocktail.

More fatalities have occurred as police attempt to stem the tide of protest that has reached Cairo’s Tahrir Square. The cycle continues.

It is inevitable that sport is used as a vehicle to promote politics. The history of the Olympic Games is littered with examples. Whether it be boycotts due to Apartheid, Cold War propaganda or issues over national identity - or simple a display of social injustice, the Games have been targeted repeatedly over the years. Ironically, a brief overview of the last 80 years gives one a good perspective of world politics. 

I’ll spare everyone my analysis of the Egyptian situation. A recent radio story interviewing a ‘Hillsborough’ survivor reminded me of the sheer horror of how things can go so wrong so quickly at any sporting event. We may all know stories of football hooliganism, street battles and the movie industry’s attempt to glorify - yet when you sit down and talk to people who were actually there - reality is in stark contrast to the bravado of it all. It's a terrifying experience that never leaves a person. It's also a reminder of the necessity for large groups of people to follow the rules and be made to do so. Preparations for Millwall's visit to West Ham have been extensive and even included a ban on the sale of alcohol in a zone including the local area!

So what was it like last Thursday? We get an idea watching a BBC summary on the night.     Click here to see the story.
An east / southeast London derby may have its deeply ingrained history but I am sure it is light years away from the political turmoil a country like Egypt is caught up in. We may have fond memories of a Christmas Day football game in 'no mans' land' between front line trenches - yet the beautiful game is life to many, and unfortunately death too.

March 24th Update

Since events that night, the situation has not improved. The Egyptian FA cancelled the top fight league season - National Coach, Bob Bradley, finds himself trying to build a team that includes players with deep emotional scars from that night.

Here, a report from NPR in the US on continued conflict - click to get there. 
BBC World News with a further update.

NPR also reported on the position that Coach Bradley finds himself in - the pic will take you to that story.

Below, a blood stained chair. Far worse pictures can be found on the internet. Click on the picture to get a comprehensive report - and a terrible yet incredible piece of reporting as a fan gives a second by second account of the tragedy.