Omar Gaber, a Zamalek fan favourite who further enhanced his reputation among the supporters after declining to take part in an Egyptian Premier League game after 19 were killed prior to kick-off, defended his teammates who came under fire for agreeing to play.
The 23-year-old, a product of Zamalek’s youth academy, also said he would no longer play for the club.
According to the health ministry, 19 people died after clashes occurred between the police and Zamalek supporters before the match at the army-owned Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.
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The game went ahead as scheduled despite the tragedy, prompting many to scold the referee and Egyptian Football Association officials for declining to call off the match.
Gaber, who is known for his support of the Ultras White Knights fan group, was hailed by many after skipping the match despite being included in the starting line-up.
“Don’t blame the players as they weren’t sure that there were victims in front of the stadium prior to kick-off,” Gaber said in a television interview on Monday.
“I decided not to play the match after the fans tried to stop the team’s bus while entering the stadium.
“Firstly, some fans told us that there were victims so the players initially decided not to play but then security officials said that there are no deaths, so they played. However, I stood firm on my decision.
“I need to stay away from everything and I’m not going to play for Zamalek again,” Gaber added.
Earlier on Monday, the Egyptian Football Association has announced three days of mourning and a stoppage of all football activity in the country after 19 were killed in the stadium crush.
Police claim they died due to a stampede, while the Zamalek Ultras White Knights said a criminal plot was pre-planned, blaming new security procedures that included a ‘metal cage’ at the stadium gates.
Investigations are still ongoing.
The match was open to the public, unlike most other games between Egyptian clubs since stadium riots in Port Said in 2012 left 72 people dead in the country’s worst-ever sport disaster.
