Allez les Algériens! – Algeria shining a light on why football is more than a game in North Africa

Zinedine Zidane, December 2013: “Algeria might, I hope, create a surprise.”

Like many neutrals, I was shocked and delighted in equal measure with Algeria’s 1-1 draw against Capello’s lack lustre Russian side. This was not any draw, it secured Algeria’s progress into the last 16 of the tournament for the first time in their history. Many have highlighted the poignancy of them now playing Germany in the next round. The two teams famously met in the 1982 World Cup, when Algeria completed one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history with a 2-1 win over West Germany - then the European champions. 

Algeria finished with two wins and a defeat from their three matches, which they completed before West Germany and Austria met in the final group game. A 1-0 win for the Germans would take both sides through at the expense of Algeria, and that was how the match turned out. 

It also shines the light on the role of colonialism and its effects on diaspora, with the majority of the Algerian squad being born outside of Algeria (overwhelmingly in France). Interestingly Karim Benzema, possibly the most in form striker of the tournament, would have also been eligible to play for Algeria if he had not opted to play for France.

Even though these two points alone would merit an interesting blog piece I am going to focus on Algeria’s multi identity and how it links to other football fans around the world. Algeria must be a nation which captures multiplicity of identities shown by the reaction on twitter, the Fenec Foxes do not just represent the citizens of Algeria but they also represent Africa, the Middle East (Arabs and non-Arabs) as well as being taken to heart by the world’s Muslim community (and many non-Muslims such as myself). 

The Agerian defender Sofiane Feghouli stated soon after gaining qualification that: "This win is for all the Algerians, all the Arabs and all the Muslims."

The passion of the Algerian fans has also played an important role in gaining support for the national team with widespread celebrations seen in and out of the stadium. However, other North African and Middle Eastern fans have been involved in issues even more important than the World Cup victories “the fight for freedom." Football club Ultra’s in Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey have played key roles in anti-authoritarian protests.

Unlike the right wing nature of Ultra groups in Europe the North African and Middle Eastern Ultras were anti-authoritarian and anti-commercial. They stood for collectivism and resistance.

“I made my first steps into politics in 2000,” Mohamed Gamal Besheer, godfather of the Egyptian ultra movement and author of Kitab Al Ultras (The Ultras Book).

“I was against corruption and the regime and for human rights. Radical anarchism was my creed. Ultras ignore the system. You do your own system because you already own the game. We see ourselves as organisers of anarchy. Our power was focused on organising our system.”

Originally the Ultra groups were not overtly political but places where ordinary people culturally resisted their governments. There were often public shows of dissent such as the lighting of flares (remember this is within a totalitarian regime where all dissent is crushed) and singing pro-Palestinian songs.

The events of the 2011 Arab Spring further politicised the Ultras and transformed them into revolutionary actors. The fans history of conflict with the military police within a football context was perfect experience for when the revolution spilled out on to the streets. The Football Ultras along with liberals and leftists played an important role in bringing governments down in Egypt and Tunisia and were leading actors in Turkey’s now infamous Taksim square protests.

The story of what happened in Egypt is more poignant. When the Egyptian football league restarted 61 days after President Mubarak’s removal, Cairo’s Military stadium was crowded with 7,000 Al-Ahly (Egypt’s most popular team) fans who waved Tunisian, Libyan and Palestinian flags and chanted revolutionary slogans.

The sense of triumph, rather like the Egyptian revolution itself, did not last. On February 1, 2012, armed men entered the away stands at the end of a match between Al-Ahly and Al-Masry in Port Said, killing 74 fans and injuring more than 1,000. Many fans and outside observers believe the violence was premeditated and politically motivated by Egypt’s ‘secret state’; the army and police force wanting revenge for their role in bringing down Mubarak. These forces are now firmly back in power under the leadership of General Sisi. Even though things look bleak for pro revolutionary forces in Egypt, the Ultras have become a symbol of inspiration to many around the world including the previously mentioned Turkish Ultras and Ukrainian Ultras have also been involved in their respective revolutions. 

I think it would be appropriate for the World Cup to recognise the commitment of the fans that lost their lives fighting for freedom and help them receive justice. Hopefully Algeria’s progress will help shine a light on this important issue.