Football Violence Erupts In Cairo, Venue For Ghana-Egypt World Cup Playoff Clash In Danger

Egypt's hopes of hosting Ghana in Cairo in the second-leg of 2014 World Cup qualifying playoff is teetering on the brink of collapse after violence broke out in Cairo on Thursday night following riots by fans of local football giants Zamalek.

Egypt military authorities were reluctant to open the banned Cairo International Stadium for the match with Ghana in November because of the potential of violence and protests erupting during the match in the volatile country.

With football fans now rioting in the streets of Cairo, the military authorities are unlikely to approve the request by the Egyptian FA to open the stadium for the decisive clash.

The Egyptian FA must name the venue and date for the match by the FIFA deadline of Friday, the military are not keen to open risk the potential of violence erupting.

Members of a hardcore group of fans of Zamalek football club, the Ultras White Knights (UWK), stormed the club's headquarters in Cairo on Thursday following a protest demanding changes to the club's leadership.

Minor clashes are ongoing between security forces and the Ultras White Knights, a group of hardcore Zamalek football club fans, near the club's headquarters in Giza.

An Al Ahram reporter at the scene said that military police are firing shots in the air to disperse the crowd near Zamalek recreational club and are also arresting people.

The Ultras had stormed the club's headquarters following a protest demanding changes to the club's leadership.

They reportedly torched some buildings inside the club, which is located in the Mit Okba district close to Mohandiseen.

Protesters demanded the resignation of chairman Mamdouh Abbas for his "failures in leading the club", as well as that of first team coach Helmy Toulan after the club failed to qualify for the CAF Champions League semi-finals.