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Artists blast Egypt, Algeria for fuelling football row

CAIRO, EGYPT Nov 25 2009 17:32

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Egyptian intellectuals condemned as "irresponsible" the use of World Cup qualifying matches between Egypt and Algeria for political gains, in a statement obtained by Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.

The artists, writers and intellectuals said incidents on the sidelines of the football matches were "not innocent, nor clear of suspicions that they were deliberately used for irresponsible political gains".

The statement was signed by 200 people, including Alaa al-Aswany who wrote the Yacoubian Building, a critical portrayal of modern Egyptian society.

Media outlets in both countries inflamed emotions by "adding to the already war-like atmosphere" around the key games in Cairo and Khartoum.

The coverage was a "deliberate way to divert people from their numerous problems ... and to mask the failures and corruption suffered by the two peoples on the political, economic and social level".

The signatories went on to condemn "the rumours, lies and articles which went beyond collective humiliation and racism".

On Tuesday, another group of artists including renowned actor Omar Sharif, stood at the foot of the Giza pyramids to protest at the "Algerian violations" during the qualifying matches.

Sharif, however, called on his fellow countrymen to "channel their anger into something constructive".

Tensions between both countries mounted after a bus carrying the Algerian football team was stoned in Cairo last week and Egyptians were attacked by Algerian fans in Khartoum and Algiers.

CONTINUES BELOW

The crisis also took a diplomatic turn with protesters Egyptians demonstrating outside the Algerian embassy in Cairo and Egypt recalling its ambassador to Algiers for consultations. -- AFP

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Artists blast Egypt, Algeria for fuelling football row

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