Algerian referees escape death in Cairo Stadium by miracle

The Algerian referees who supervised a match between Egypt’s Zamalek and Tunisian side Africain experienced a real terror state as angry fans of Egyptian fans stormed the pitch during the game.

• The referees run away fearing of attacks. One of them wore fire fighter uniform so that angry fans would not recognise him. Another referee was hiding under a table next to a Tunisian journalist.
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• Armed forces sent reinforcement to the International Stadium of Cairo as security forces lost control over the fans. Some trucks and armoured vehicles went to the stadium to bring out the Tunisian team’s players and the referees.
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• The Algerian referees experienced difficult moments. They had stayed in the changing room for a long time. They could not leave it before additional security reinforcement had arrived.
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• The president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) Mohamed Raouraoua, the chairman of the National League of Football, members of the Algerian embassy in Cairo and striker Mohamed Amine Oudia called the referees to ask about them.
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• The referee did not make any statement to Echorouk as they arrived to the Houari Boumediene Airport. On the other hand, they were happy for coming back home safe and sound. “I have never experienced what happened to me in Egypt. The Algerian referees escaped a real danger by a miracle. Everyone saw that Bichari was honest and had control over the situation,” a referee said.