Riot police had to intervene to an angry crowed of demonstrators infront of the Algerian embassy in Cairo early on Friday.
The Egyptian protesters are reported to have thrown firebombs at the police and destroyed a police van. Egyptian officials have confirmed 35 people were injured in the attacks.
Tension grew amongst the two arab countries after Egyptian footballers speculated that the Algerians tried to poison some of their players in the first playoff game which Algeria won 3-1
The tension grew further when the Algerian footballers were attacked infront of their hotel on the day of arrival in Egypt on the bus. The attack resulted in 3 Algerian footballers being injured including 2 players left with blood pouring from their head and face. Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Egypt over the incident.
Egypt beat Algeria 2-0 for a one of playoff between the two teams in a mutual location. The loss for Algeria caused riots in France with shops being destroyed.
Algeria beat Egypt securing Algeria the last African place for next year’s World Cup finals.
The tension has grown to such an extent that the Egyption presidents son Alaa Mubarak said on Friday “When you insult my dignity… I will beat you on the head,” and that a tough stance should be taken against Algeria.
The protesters were outraged further when reports came in that Egyptian fans were attacked while leaving the stadium.
Egypt had already threatened to quit international football for two years after complaints were made to FIFA over the Algerian attacks in the final game which saw Algeria go to the World Cup Finals.
The statement by Egypt’s Football Federation added: “Egyptian fans, officials and players put their lives at risk before and after the game, under threat from weapons, knives, swords and flares.”
Egypt’s foreign ministry had summoned the Algerian ambassador to hear complaints about reports of attacks on Egyptian fans in Khartoum and on Egyptian businesses in Algeria.
The Egyptian ambassador in Algiers was than recalled “for consultations”.
Sudan has also summoned the Egyptian envoy in Khartoum, angry at Egyptian media coverage of the game’s aftermath.
The Egyptian government alleges 21 of its citizens were attacked after the match, but Sudan says many fewer were injured.
“The government has been inciting in a very crazy manner these anti-Algerian feelings,” Hossam el-Hamalawy, a blogger who often criticises the government, said of protests that erupted after Wednesday’s loss dashed Egypt’s World Cup hopes.
“The easiest way to distract the attention of the public, both in Egypt and in Algeria, is to do a little bit of flag waving,” Hamalawy said. “Everybody will start forgetting about the unemployment and the economic turmoil we are in.”
On Nov. 18, after Egypt lost to Algeria in Sudan, Gamal added his voice to those criticising Algerian conduct.
“Anyone who thinks that this will just pass is gravely mistaken,” Egypt’s Daily News quoted Gamal as telling state television over complaints Egyptian fans were attacked in Sudan. “Egypt is a major power that should not be taken lightly.”
Egypt had complained even before the Sudan play-off when Algerian fans trashed the Algiers headquarters of Egypt-based Orascom Telecom’s mobile subsidiary.
Egypt was further angered when Algeria in the same week hit the firm with a $597 million bill for outstanding taxes in a move analysts say reflects an increasingly nationalist investment climate.
“Fallout between Algeria and Egypt following World Cup qualifying matches is not driving OT’s (Orascom Telecom) problems, but Algiers and Cairo’s curdled relations prevent a near-term solution,” the Eurasia Group think tank said.
Responding to Egypt’s diplomatic moves, Algeria summoned Egypt’s ambassador on Friday to reject accusations that its government had failed to protect Egyptians from violent Algerian fans. Sudan also summoned the Egyptian envoy in protest.
The tension between the two countries does not show any signs of cooling
click to see video of the Egypt Algeria game in Cairo.
click to see video of the Algerian footballers getting stoned.
http://www.nationalturk.com/en/algeria-team-stoned-in-egypt-exclusive-video
