The Palgrave International Handbook of Football and Politics by Jean-Michel De Waele Suzan Gibril Ekaterina Gloriozova & Ramón Spaaij

Author:Jean-Michel De Waele, Suzan Gibril, Ekaterina Gloriozova & Ramón Spaaij
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer International Publishing, Cham

2 Historical Club Rivalries

While the successes of the national team acted as a compelling argument in the struggle for independence, local clubs emerged as powerful hubs of nationalistic sentiment and anti-colonial struggle, developing into prime sites for the establishment of Arab nationalist movements (Amara 2012, 20).

Unlike various European countries where the rivalries can be based on socio-economic, political or religious cleavages (Roma–Lazio, Celtic–Rangers, Arsenal–Chelsea, Real Madrid–Atlético Madrid, etc.), Egyptian club rivalries are mainly anchored in historical and/or regional divisions. While some follow a centre-periphery logic (an opposition between the main cities against the Capital), other are more rooted in an opposition based on performance, or as a result of historical rivalries dating back to the clubs’ inception. The Ahly-Zamalek rivalry is unique in the sense that it is rooted in political and historical opposition between liberal and conservative ideologies. The main clubs in Egypt include al-Ahly and Zamalek in Cairo, al-Ittihad in Alexandria, al-Masry in Port Said (near the Mediterranean opening of the Suez Canal) and Ismaily in Ismailia (in the middle of the Suez Canal region, South of Port Said).

Besides the Ahly-Zamalek derby, other eminent rivalries are to be mentioned at the national level, for instance the derby between the two clubs of the Suez Canal region, al-Masry of Port Said and Ismaily of Ismailia. Also known as the Canal derby, the opposition between Masry and Ismaily dates back to their creation, both clubs sharing the top spots in their region. In this sense, their rivalry is mostly centred on performance and their ability to shine as the leaders in the Suez Canal area. Despite some isolated clashes between fans, both clubs share good relations, mostly because of the strong ties between the residents of the region, as well as the unity of the clubs and their fans who fight against the domination of the two clubs of Cairo. Other prominent derbies include the Zamalek-Tersansa derby, the Ittihad-Ahly derby or more significantly the Masry-Ahly derby, rooted in a strong sporting rivalry between both clubs, as well as a long-standing animosity between the clubs’ fans linked to the centre-periphery divide. This rejection of the capital is at the centre of most rivalries between either Cairo clubs and the other prominent clubs of Alexandria and the Canal region. Fans explain their rejection by accusing the regime of favouring both Cairene clubs when allocating the budgets (Dorsey 2016).

The most prominent rivalry in Egyptian football, however, remains the Cairo derby, opposing al-Ahly and Zamalek sporting clubs, both sharing the top spots in the Egyptian Premier League performance leader board (39 victories for al-Ahly against 12 for Zamalek since 1948), as well as having become the most popular and decorated clubs in the Middle East and North Africa (Hawkey 2010). The Cairo derby is followed by millions in Egypt and North Africa, making it one of the most popular derbies in football (Lopez 2009). More than being just about sport, the Ahly-Zamalek rivalry divides not only their fan base, but also the whole of Egypt 4 : “In this country, you are Ahlawy or Zamalkawy.

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