LIBREVILLE - A minute of silence will be observed at the Africa Cup of Nations this weekend in memory of the scores killed and hundreds injured when rival fans clashed in Egypt on Wednesday.
"African football is in a state of mourning," said Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football.
Hayatou, in the Equatorial Guinea capital of Malabo for tomorrow's Afcon quarterfinal match between Zambia and Sudan, said CAF had sent a message of condolence to the Egyptian Football Association.
A minute of silence will be observed at the quarterfinal matches in Malabo, Bata, Libreville and Franceville, CAF announced.
At least 74 people were killed when pandemonium broke out after a league game between Al Masry and Al Ahly in Port Said on Wednesday.
News of the stadium slaughter shocked Gernot Rohr, coach of Afcon quarterfinalists and co-hosts Gabon.
"It was catastrophic and regrettable. Football is so big that sometimes an incident like what happened in Egypt can happen like this," said Rohr.
"Something like this doesn't only happen in Africa, it can happen anywhere. Look at Heysel in 1985 between Juventus and Liverpool.
"I hope the football at the Nations Cup will continue without any trouble."
Gabon captain Didier Ebang Ovono said: "It's not normal that something like this should happen at a football match, it's horrific.
"Our hearts go out to the families of the victims."
Egypt tragedy observed
LIBREVILLE - A minute of silence will be observed at the Africa Cup of Nations this weekend in memory of the scores killed and hundreds injured when rival fans clashed in Egypt on Wednesday.
"African football is in a state of mourning," said Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football.
Hayatou, in the Equatorial Guinea capital of Malabo for tomorrow's Afcon quarterfinal match between Zambia and Sudan, said CAF had sent a message of condolence to the Egyptian Football Association.
A minute of silence will be observed at the quarterfinal matches in Malabo, Bata, Libreville and Franceville, CAF announced.
At least 74 people were killed when pandemonium broke out after a league game between Al Masry and Al Ahly in Port Said on Wednesday.
News of the stadium slaughter shocked Gernot Rohr, coach of Afcon quarterfinalists and co-hosts Gabon.
"It was catastrophic and regrettable. Football is so big that sometimes an incident like what happened in Egypt can happen like this," said Rohr.
"Something like this doesn't only happen in Africa, it can happen anywhere. Look at Heysel in 1985 between Juventus and Liverpool.
"I hope the football at the Nations Cup will continue without any trouble."
Gabon captain Didier Ebang Ovono said: "It's not normal that something like this should happen at a football match, it's horrific.
"Our hearts go out to the families of the victims."
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