FIFA requests report into Egypt violence

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Egyptian coach, 3 players give up soccer after riot

Three Egypt internationals and Al-Ahly players have retired from all soccer after witnessing the deadly clashes between fans at their league game against Al-Masry on Wednesday.

Mohamed Aboutrika and Mohamed Barakat, who both have at least 70 caps for Egypt, told Al-Ahly TV that they would quit immediately after the mass violence that left at least 74 people dead at a stadium in the host city of Port Said.

"I will not play soccer again," Aboutrika said late Wednesday. Barakat told the channel that there would be "no soccer after today" for him.

Al-Ahly goalkeeper Sharik Ikrami told reporters that bodies were moved into the team's locker room and that, "We've all made a decision that we won't play soccer anymore. We can't think about it."

Al-Ahly's Portuguese coach Manuel Jose has also reportedly asked the Cairo club - Egypt's most successful ever - to cancel his contract and allow him to return to Portugal.

Port Said's local team Al-Masry club president Kamel Abu Ali and coach Hossam Hassan, a prolific goalscorer, who has amassed well over 150 caps for Egypt, have also quitted together with his twin brother Ibrahim, also played professional football and the team's assistant coach.

The Egyptian Football Association (FA) said it was indefinitely postponing matches in the premier league before Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal El-Ganzoury dissolved the federation's board on Thursday.

The Al-Ahly club suspended all sports activities and declared three days of mourning.

FIFA requests report into Egypt violence

FIFA has requested a full report from Egyptian authorities into the violence at a soccer match in Port Said that left 74 people dead, world soccer's governing body said on Thursday.

At least 1,000 people were injured in the violence on Wednesday when fans invaded the pitch after Port Said's local team Al-Masry beat Cairo-based Al-Ahly, the most successful club in Africa.

Most of the deaths were among people trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd, while others fell or were thrown from terraces.

The incident was Egypt's worst soccer disaster and the country's football association (FA) board have been sacked by Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter wrote to the head of the Egyptian FA Samir Zaher offering his condolences and support.

"I would like to join your country and the football family in mourning the death of the dozens of Egyptian football fans and others at last night's match in Port Said," the letter said.

"Today is a black day for football and we must take steps to ensure that such a catastrophe never happens again. Football is a force for good and we must not allow it to be abused by those who mean evil.

"As discussed by telephone this morning, I await further news from you concerning the circumstances of this tragedy."