Egyptian Police Arrest Fans Of Soccer Riot That Killed Dozens Of People; See The Video Of The Attacks [VIDEO]

Egyptian Soccer Riot — Soccer fans are seen near a police vehicle, which was set on fire by fireworks, during clashes between soccer fans and security forces in front of a stadium on the outskirts of Cairo February 8, 2015. Twenty-two people were killed in clashes outside a Cairo football stadium on Sunday, the public prosecutor's office said. Witnesses said people had been crushed in a stampede when police used teargas to break up a crowd trying to enter the stadium from which they were barred. REUTERS/Stringer

Police in Cairo, Egypt have arrested 21 soccer fans on Tuesday in the wake of a murderous melee that claimed the lives of at least 19 people. On Sunday, a riot erupted outside of an Egyptian Premier League soccer match between Zamalek and ENPPI at the Air Defense stadium in East Cairo.

According to security officials at the scene, hundreds of ticketless fans tried to force their way into the stadium. The incident sparked a clash with the local police who shot tear gas at the fans who were all trapped in a narrow fenced in corridor. As fans fled, the weak were trampled, including a 14-year-old girl. Government officials also say that many died of suffocation and that the death toll could include at least 22 people if not more.

The incident is the most violent since 2012 when Port Said’s Al-Masry team faced off with Al-Ahly. That riot killed 74 people. Two police officers were sentenced to 15 years in prison for gross negligence after that attack, but on Tuesday, Government officials defended the police tactics in Cairo. Many fans in attendance are rejecting the notion that the attacks were warranted and believe that the police used unnecessary excessive force in trying to stop the fans from entering the stadium.

One of those fans spoke to the Associated Press anonymously and said the riot was directly caused by Police brutality.

“Those who fell down could not get back up again,” he said.

Hard-core soccer fans known throughout the world as hooligans are accustomed to violence at soccer matches. In the case of Egypt, the gang known as “Ultras” has had multiple attacks with police both inside and outside of soccer stadiums for many years. On Monday, nearly twenty different human rights organizations issued statements blaming police for the brutal attacks, accusing them of acting in a “vengeful” manner towards the crowd of soccer fans. They believe that the Cairo police must be held accountable for their violent actions.

All soccer matches in Egypt have been suspended due to the violent riot and there is no timetable as of yet for when they will return to the pitch.