Thousands of Algerian football fans waiting at Cairo Airport to return home after winning the African Cup of Nations stirred riots and and chaos due to delayed flights, smashing glass doors, throwing bottles and clashing with the security forces at the airport, Al Masry Al Youm reports.
Following these violent scenes, Cairo Airport authorities contacted the office of Algerian Airlines in Cairo and requested for places to be provided for Algerian fans on the airline’s aircrafts or hotel rooms for them near the airport as required by aviation laws.
جمهور الجزائر يثير الفوضى في مطار #القاهرة ويشتبك مع الأمن المصري #إرم_نيوز #مصر #الجزائر pic.twitter.com/evEh0f4B1M
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Major General Ahmed al-Anwar, Assistant Minister of Interior and Director of Cairo International Airport security, ordered the security personnel to exercise restraint and allow those who do not have flight tickets to enter the airport for shelter from the hot weather outside.
Air Algerie also announced on its official website that great efforts are being exerted by the company to return individuals and families to their country.
Cairo Airport called on additional numbers of employees to complete the departure procedures for Algerian fans.
On Friday night, AFCON 2019 drew to a close in Egypt with Algeria winning the title against Senegal, making it the second time they hold the title after 29 years.
More than 2,000 visas were granted by the Egyptian Consulate to Algerians since the beginning of the African Cup of Nations to attend the final match, according to Egyptian Ambassador Ayman Mosharaf.
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