Zamalek handed one-match home ban for fireworks use

Zamalek have been ordered to play their next home match at a neutral ground after their fans set off fireworks during the 2-1 victory over Haras El-Hodoud in the Egypt Cup semifinal on Saturday. “Zamalek will play their next home match outside Cairo,” the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) competition committee said in a statement. “The team’s assistant coach Ismail Youssef was also handed a LE 5,000 fine for inappropriate protest (against the referee’s decisions).” The sanction means that Zamalek will not be able to face newly-promoted team Ghazl Mahalla at Cairo Stadium in their second Egyptian Premier League game. "Those fireworks were used only for celebration; no one had the intention to riot. We reject that punishment," Zamalek chairman Galal Ibrahim said in a television interview. "The club should not bear any responsibility; the security personnel can arrest anyone who uses firecrackers. How can the club control the behaviour of thousands of fans?" Last month, Zamalek’s arch-rivals Ahly were also handed a one-match home ban for a similar reason. The punishment applies to the team’s game against Alexandria-based club El-Hodoud in their league opener later this month. The EFA is trying to maintain a tough stance on fireworks in stadiums for safety reasons. The Ultras groups, the hardcore fans of the likes of Ahly and Zamalek, argue that the use of firecrackers is necessary to create a feverish atmosphere inside stadiums. From ahramonline .