Football in Egypt: Between Joy and Politics

Hala Thabet, Zayed University

Document Type

Book Chapter

Source of Publication

Global Culture and Sport Series

Publication Date

4-27-2022

Abstract

Football, the beautiful game, is for many supporters a source of joy and happiness and an escape from social and economic challenges. By examining the history of football since its introduction under the British occupation, the study highlights the social and political role played by football in the Egyptian history and discusses the relationship between football and social and political changes. Football managers, players, and even workers in sports media have all welcomed the intervention of political leaders in the game and used it for their own purposes. The major achievements of the Egyptian football were used to raise the spirit of national pride and to glorify the political regime. Social groups, like the Ultras, also used football to fuel opposition against the political system by leading popular demonstrations in the streets against corruption and bad governance and spreading violence, instability, and political unrest in the country.

ISBN

978-3-030-94866-5

Publisher

Springer International Publishing

First Page

147

Last Page

163

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

Pharaohs, Nationalism, British Empire, Mohamed Zaki, Red Star, Al-Sekka Al-Hadid, Egyptian Cup, Al-Ahly, Zamalek, Egyptian Federation of Sports (EFS), Egyptian Football Association (EFA), Alexandria, Cairo, Ismailia, Ahmed Hossam (Mido), Egypt Super Cup, BeIN Sports Channel, Ultras Ahlawy, Hosni Mubarak, Ultras Masrawy, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool

Indexed in Scopus

no

Open Access

no

Link to Full Text

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