James M. Dorsey

Duo Out: Major Victory for Egypt’s Football Militants

Duo Out: Major Victory for Egypt’s Football Militants

JAMES M. DORSEY: Two leading football executives have withdrawn from election to the Egyptian Football Association. The Ultras have prevailed

 James M. Dorsey

Militant Fans Once Again Battle for Egypt’s Future

Militant Fans Once Again Battle for Egypt’s Future

JAMES M. DORSEY: The opposing fans of Cairo soccer clubs Al Zamalek and Al Ahly are engaged in a separate but parallel struggle with the authorities

 James M. Dorsey

Egyptian Football: A Litmus Test of Morsi’s Control

Egyptian Football: A Litmus Test of Morsi’s Control

JAMES M. DORSEY: The debate about soccer is as much about politics as it is about sports. It is a debate that is likely to be fought out politically rather than on the pitch.

 James M. Dorsey

Morsi’s Power Play In Sinai, and on the Pitch

Morsi’s Power Play In Sinai, and on the Pitch

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mr. Morsi’s response to this week’s killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers by militants has allowed him to position himself as the country’s co-commander-in-chief

 James M. Dorsey

Kicking Time: Ultras Egypt Truce Likely to Be Short Lived

Kicking Time: Ultras Egypt Truce Likely to Be Short Lived

JAMES M. DORSEY: The battle between the autocrats and the ultras turned the stadiums into battlefields for control with the ultras viewing themselves as the venue’s only legitimate owner.

 James M. Dorsey

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

Middle East Cloud Hangs over FIFA

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Middle East looms large as FIFA’s executive committee meets against the backdrop of a call for sweeping change.

 James M. Dorsey

Vodafone’s Egyptian Meltdown: Arab Spring Victim?

Vodafone’s Egyptian Meltdown: Arab Spring Victim?

JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s been a bad year for Vodafone in Egypt. Are the problems of their own making?

 James M. Dorsey

Football Fans Unite To Resist Egyptian Crackdown

Football Fans Unite To Resist Egyptian Crackdown

JAMES M. DORSEY: It looks like there’s been a sea-change in Egypt’s football politics – Ultras White Knights and Ultras Ahlawy have united.

 James M. Dorsey

‘Peep, Peep, Peep’: EFA To Blow Final Whistle on Season?

‘Peep, Peep, Peep’: EFA To Blow Final Whistle on Season?

JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s looking increasingly likely that the Egyptian Football Association will cancel the rest of the season.

 Rania Al Malky

Inept or Culpable, the SCAF Must Go

Inept or Culpable, the SCAF Must Go

RANIA AL MALKY: One of my childhood friends buried her son yesterday. He was 22. His name was Omar. He had his whole life ahead of him.

 James M. Dorsey

Port Said Deaths Boost Egypt’s Soccer ‘Army’

Port Said Deaths Boost Egypt’s Soccer ‘Army’

JAMES M. DORSEY: Growing sentiment that the brawl in which 74 people were killed was provoked is putting wind in the sails of militant soccer fan groups.

 James M. Dorsey

Qatar Alcohol Ban Underlines Internal Tensions

Qatar Alcohol Ban Underlines Internal Tensions

JAMES M. DORSEY: Alcohol has been banned on the Pearl Qatar, dubbed the ‘Arab Riviera’. It’s the latest manifestation of internal discord.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer Fans to Fore Again in Egyptian Protests

Soccer Fans to Fore Again in Egyptian Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: It’s looking likely that the authorities will, for the second time this year, postpone or suspend professional soccer leagues.

 James M. Dorsey

Football Supporters Behind Attack on Israeli Embassy

Football Supporters Behind Attack on Israeli Embassy

JAMES DORSEY: The militant supporters of Al Ahly and Al Zemalek, who were prominent in the 25th January Revolution, were instrumental in the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo.

 James M. Dorsey

Qaddafi Sons: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Qaddafi Sons: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

JAMES M. DORSEY: At face value, Saadi and Saif’s different positions appear to be at best a surprising reversal of roles with Saadi, described as “notoriously ill-behaved”.

 James M. Dorsey

Bahrain: A Headache For Obama and Blatter

Bahrain: A Headache For Obama and Blatter

JAMES M. DORSEY: Mr. Obama does not want to put at risk the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet; nor does he want to cross what is a red line for Saudi.

 James M. Dorsey

Foreign Players Threaten to Turn Backs on Egypt

Foreign Players Threaten to Turn Backs on Egypt

JAMES M. DORSEY: Several Ittihad players failed to show up for training last week after the club had been unable to pay their housing rents. Cameroonian striker Edet Otobong was evicted from his home.

 James M. Dorsey

The ‘Is It All Back to Normal?’ Test: Is the Footy On?

The ‘Is It All Back to Normal?’ Test: Is the Footy On?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Tunisian and Egyptian reluctance to restart football reflects the changing role of soccer and the sense of empowerment felt by fans.

 James M. Dorsey

Al Ahly Opposes Matches in Support of Protesters

Al Ahly Opposes Matches in Support of Protesters

JAMES DORSEY: Al Ahly SC has publicly rejected plans by the Egyptian Football Association, to restart suspended league matches behind closed doors.

 James M. Dorsey

Soccer Fans Play Key Role in Egyptian Protests

Soccer Fans Play Key Role in Egyptian Protests

JAMES M. DORSEY: The involvement of organized soccer fans in Egypt’s anti-government protests constitutes every Arab government’s worst nightmare.