FIFA bans Egypt soccer team from playing 2 World Cup qualifiers in Cairo after Algeria attacks

FIFA bans Egypt soccer team from 2 Cairo games

ZURICH — FIFA has banned Egypt from playing in Cairo for two World Cup qualifiers after fans attacked Algeria’s team before a game.

FIFA ruled Tuesday that Egypt must stage its first two home matches in 2014 qualifying at least 62 miles from the capital. It also fined the Egyptian federation $88,000.

The meeting between the north African rivals last November was predicted to be volatile. Egypt had to win to keep its own qualification hopes alive and prevent Algeria reaching the finals in South Africa.

On arriving in Cairo, Algeria’s team bus was being driven from the airport when it came under attack from fans hurling rocks. The stadium was also badly overcrowded. Egypt won the match 2-0, but Algeria then won a playoff 1-0 to reach the World Cup.