Egyptian security forces in Alexandria have detained more than 250 fans of Al Ahly Football Club at Borg El Arab Stadium for raising the Palestinian flag and chanting in solidarity with Gaza, according to a local rights group.
The crackdown is the latest in a series of measures against pro-Palestine activism in Egypt since October, with more than 120 people detained for protesting against Israel’s war on Gaza, including students and two children.
The fans were detained during their team’s match against Farco on Friday, according to the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF).
Children aged 13 and 15 were among those detained, according to ECRF. The group said that authorities had yet to confirm the detention of the fans, and that many were released a day later.
Videos posted online showed Al Ahly fans withdrawing from stands during their team’s premier league match against Farco five minutes after kick-off, amid chants such as “Forget about the match… Palestine is more important”.
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Al Ahly won the game 2-1.
The chants were in response to the expulsion of one fan for raising the Palestinian flag, according to Al-Mawkef al-Masry activist group on Facebook. “We saw scenes of another group trying to raise the Palestinian flag in expression of their solidarity,” the group said.
Cairo has banned the use of any banners or chants unrelated to sports during games since May. Fans have largely complied with the rules, but Al Ahly supporters last month turned their backs to the pitch when Mohamed Ramadan, an Egyptian singer and actor, started performing before the African Champions League final.
The fans mimicked the pose of Handala, an iconic cartoon character created by Palestinian artist Naji Al-Ali, and chanted: “With our soul, with our blood, we sacrifice for you, Palestine.”
The crackdown contradicts Egypt’s public statements opposing Israel’s war on Gaza, including saying it will join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Al Ahly has a big fan base in Gaza.
The club is the most successful in Africa and has this year won its 11th African Champions League title and 43rd Egyptian Premiere League title. It has also been voted Africa’s club of the century.
