Nations Cup to hold minute’s silence after Egypt deaths
A blood-stained piece of cotton wool is seen on the ground one day after soccer supporters clashed at the Port Said stadium February 2, 2012. Seventy-four people were killed when supporters clashed at an Egyptian soccer match, prompting fans and politicians on Thursday to turn on the ruling army for failing to prevent the deadliest incident since Hosni Mubarak was ousted.
Image by: Mohamed Abd El-Ghany / REUTERS
Image by: Mohamed Abd El-Ghany / REUTERS
A minute’s silence for the victims of Egypt’s stadium disaster will be held at this weekend’s African Nations Cup quarter-finals, the continent’s soccer body said on Thursday in a statement expressing shock at the tragedy.
Seventy four people died and at least 1 000 were injured when supporters invaded the pitch at a match in Port Said on Wednesday.
Most of the deaths were among people trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd while others fell or were thrown from terraces.
“African football is in a state of mourning,” said Issa Hayatou, president of the Cairo-based Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a message of condolence to the Egyptian Football Association.
The quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup are played in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon on Saturday and Sunday. Egypt, who won the last three tournaments, failed to qualify for this year’s edition.
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Nations Cup to hold minute’s silence after Egypt deaths
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