22 dead in clashes at Cairo football game

At least 22 people have been killed and dozens injured in clashes between police and supporters of Egypt’s Zamalek football club at a game in Cairo.

Police used tear gas to disperse the football fans during Sunday’s clashes at an army-owned stadium in the city’s northeast.

The Egyptian interior ministry said that the clashes occured after supporters of Zamalek, known as Ultras White Knights, tried to attend the game without buying tickets.

But according to fans, authorities only opened up one narrow barbed-wire door into the stadium, sparking the incident.

In February 2012, a riot broke out at a match in Port Said, where the home Al-Masry fans attacked Cairo’s Al-Ahly supporters with explosives, knives and broken glass.

At least 72 Al-Ahly supporters were killed and more than 500 people injured.

After that incident, the interim Egyptian government banned domestic league football for two years.

Last month, Al-Ahly and Al-Masry faced each other in the first game since the 2012 riot.

Ultras, who are known for challenging authority, supported the Egyptian revolution in 2011, joining other Egyptians calling for change.

Ultras have often clashed with security forces at matches.