Security forces arrested 56 Ultras White Knights members, a fan group for Al-Zamalek SC, on accusations of possessing fabricated tickets.
The members were arrested while attempting to enter Borg Al-Arab stadium, Alexandria, to attend the match against the South African Sundowns.
Security forces were largely present inside the stadium and surrounding it. This tightened security measure was due to the importance of the match as it was part of the finals of the African Champions League football.
Usually, UWK fans are arrested when attempting to attend any match for their club, and tend to face accusations of fabricated tickets, causing riots, and mass gatherings.
In early October, 48 UWK members were arrested on their way to attend a handball match in Alexandria. In September, about 850 UWK members received release orders after they were arrested on Friday ahead of a match against Moroccan club El-Wedad at Borg Al-Arab stadium in Alexandria.
Last year, 22 fans died in the notorious “Air Defence stadium” case.
There are severe tensions between fans and the club’s administration, particularly following the election of controversial lawyer and vocal army supporter Mortada Mansour as club president.
Mansour has been inciting people against the fans by calling them thugs, Muslim Brotherhood members, and traitors. He made several attempts to limit their presence in stadiums by suggesting an application process for attendance.
