Maybe Not World Peace, But Egypt-Algeria Soccer Fallout May Have a Silver Lining

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Maybe Not World Peace, But Egypt-Algeria Soccer Fallout May Have a Silver Lining

by Sara Elghobashy

12/10/09 - 12:25 PM

Sara Elghobashy
December 10, 2009

It was 90 minutes. 90 minutes was all it took to create chaos following the Egypt-Algeria World Cup qualifying match and Algeria’s win. Fueled by the media, reports about the match and what followed have created tensions between the two North African states. Crazy stories have emerged and even crazier actions were taken by both sides. I guess soccer isn’t the secret to world peace after all.

First, there was the violence. People were attacked. Flags were burned. Firebombs were hurled at embassies. Then, Cairo recalled its ambassador to Algeria. Afterward, Egyptian President Mubarak offered his two cents and said that Egypt won’t tolerate anyone that hurts its dignity. Then, Gaddafi decides to step in to help Egypt and Algeria work out their differences. (Why. Won’t. You. Stop?) Then it was Sudan’s turn to offer to mediate. Then, Egypt backed out of hosting the National Handball Nations Championship because Algeria is participating. (Handball?) And now, there are insane reports that Egyptian men are throwing their Algerian wives out onto the streets.

Oh, and let’s not forget all the speculation. Was the violence used to rally support for Mubarak’s regime? Did it make Mubarak’s son a national hero? Was Qatar behind the whole thing? Will Santa Claus bring me a new Macbook even though I’m Muslim? These are all burning questions on our minds.

Seriously though, this has gotten WAY out of hand. Egypt, Algeria, what are you doing? It was just a game. There is no need to take your political frustrations out on a soccer match. You are making yourselves look bad to the rest of the world and it’s not like you can blame it on the alcohol.

Thank goodness there is a rainbow emerging between the clouds. These two North African nations are setting up a joint oil company. (Hooray! Oil always fixes everything in the Middle East.) The company, which will be named Selene after Cleopatra’s daughter, is a 50-50 venture between Algeria’s oil company and two of Egypt’s oil firms and will operate in both countries as well as others. Seems that business is much better at world peace than soccer, huh?

Photo: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images

Keywords: Egypt Algeria soccer, soccer violence in Egypt, President Mubarak, soccer and world peace, Egypt Algeria football

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Sara Elghobashy December 10, 2009 It was 90 minutes. 90 minutes was all it took to create chaos following the Egypt-Algeria World Cup qualifying match and Algeria’s win. Fueled by the media, reports about the match and what followed have created tensions between the two North African states. Crazy stories have emerged and even crazier actions were taken by both sides. I guess soccer isn’t the secret to world peace after all. First, there was the violence. People were attacked. Flags were burned. Firebombs were hurled at embassies. Then, Cairo recalled its ambassador to Algeria. Afterward, Egyptian President Mubarak offered his two cents and said that Egypt won’t tolerate anyone that hurts its dignity. Then, Gaddafi decides to step in to help Egypt and Algeria work out their differences. (Why. Won’t. You. Stop?) Then it was Sudan’s turn to offer to mediate. Then, Egypt backed out of hosting the National Handball Nations Championship because Algeria is participating. (Handball?) And now, there are insane reports that Egyptian men are throwing their Algerian wives out onto the streets. Oh, and let’s not forget all the speculation. Was the violence used to rally support for Mubarak’s regime? Did it make Mubarak’s son a national hero? Was Qatar behind the whole thing? Will Santa Claus bring me a new Macbook even though I’m Muslim? These are all burning questions on our minds. Seriously though, this has gotten WAY out of hand. Egypt, Algeria, what are you doing? It was just a game. There is no need to take your political frustrations out on a soccer match. You are making yourselves look bad to the rest of the world and it’s not like you can blame it on the alcohol. Thank goodness there is a rainbow emerging between the clouds. These two North African nations are setting up a joint oil company. (Hooray! Oil always fixes everything in the Middle East.) The company, which will be named Selene after Cleopatra’s daughter, is a 50-50 venture between Algeria’s oil company and two of Egypt’s oil firms and will operate in both countries as well as others. Seems that business is much better at world peace than soccer, huh? Photo: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images http://www.elanthemag.com/index.php/site/blog_detail/maybe_not_world_peace_but_egypt_algeria_soccer_fallout_may_have_a_silver_li/

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