The Ismailia prosecution released 24 football fans on Tuesday who were arrested over accusations of instigating riots during the CAF Champions League game held at the Ismailia Stadium earlier this month. The fans were released on bail of EGP 100 each.
On 18 January, the prosecution ordered the detention of those fans for four days pending investigation on charges of involvement in riots during a football game between Ismaily SC and Tunisia’s Club Africain. The match was cancelled before its end.
The detainees were accused of throwing water bottles on players on the pitch. The charges also included crowding, inciting violence, disturbing a sport event, and using violence against police.
Early this January, Egypt was chosen by the CAF to host the 2019 African Cup of Nations, beating the bid of South Africa. Egypt allocated eight stadiums for the tournament in five cities, including Cairo, Alexandria, and Ismailia.
Egypt hosted the tournament four times before in 1959, 1974, 1986, and 2006. The Egyptian national team won the title five times.
