Soccer insanity....

[texasdave]

Soccer fans rushed the field after the home team won an unexpected victory over Egypt's top squad Wednesday, setting off clashes and a stampede that left at least 73 people dead and 1,000 injured in a Mediterranean port city, officials said.It was the worst incident of soccer violence in Egypt and the deadliest worldwide since 1996.The melee broke out after fans of Al-Masry, the home team in Port Said, stormed the field after a rare 3-1 win against Al-Ahly, Egypt's top team. Al-Masry supporters hurled sticks and stones as they chased players and fans from the rival team, who ran toward the exits to escape, according to witnesses.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soc...#ixzz1lAbYU9iL

[Stray]

I just heard about this...that's insane. I've seen too many videos of South American/Euro...I guess now Egyptian soccer matches getting out of hand in the stands to ever care to go to one.

[Ohayou]

BBC radio five saying deaths occurred in the changing rooms...

[texasdave]

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/02/wo...-deaths-color/

Difficult to comprehend.

[Big Red Hoss]

Un real that they act like this. What is wrong with people. I can't imagine a baseball or football getting to this point. I can't come up with the words for this type of stuff. Our country was torn up over the incident with the dodgers and giants fan last year.

[Ohayou]

It's more than just sports. In many parts of the world, soccer is inherently political. Add to that the tension and unease which already exists in the country and you've got a pot that is just ready to boil over.

I think it's hard for many Americans to understand. Hell, we have enough trouble trying to summon up the energy to go to the concession stand for terrible beer. Storm the field? That's much too exhausting.

[Yachtzee]

Originally Posted by Ohayou

It's more than just sports. In many parts of the world, soccer is inherently political. Add to that the tension and unease which already exists in the country and you've got a pot that is just ready to boil over.

I think it's hard for many Americans to understand. Hell, we have enough trouble trying to summon up the energy to go to the concession stand for terrible beer. Storm the field? That's much too exhausting.

Few Americans realize just how politicized other countries can be. It bleeds into every aspect of life, and sports are no exception. During the breakup of Yugoslavia, many paramilitary units drew recruits from supporters of soccer teams favorable to their ideals. In Italy, Lazio in Rome is considered the fascist team whereas Roma belongs to the communists and socialists. In Spain, Barcelona is a symbol of Catalan national pride, so the rivalry with Real Madrid and Espanyol, both being teams cozy with the royal family and Generalissimo Franco before that has deeper cultural meaning than a simple sports rivalry.

The violence in Egypt is as much if not more about the current political strife in the country than it is about soccer.