Riots Grip Cairo: Violence Erupts From World Cup Qualifier Anger

November 21, 2009 6:51 a.m. EST

Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - Tensions, stemming from the recent World Cup Qualifier between Egypt and Algeria, bubbled over in Cairo on Friday when riots erupted outside the Algerian embassy.

It is belived roughly 35 people have been injured in the disturbances which have seen firebombs being hurled in the direction of the embassy.

The World Cup Qualifier saw Algeria beat Egypt 1-0 in Khartoum on Wednesday, which saw the Algerians clinch the final African spot at next summers World Cup finals, at the expense of Egypt.

The tie was already simmering after an earlier clash between the nations saw the Algerian team bus attacked as it made its way through Cairo to the match.

Algeria's win sparked scenes of wild celebration across Algeria and the Arab world, but anger has remained the prevailing feeling in Egypt.

On Friday Alaa Mubarak, the son of Egypt's president Hosni Mubarak, who had been at the game in Khartoum, made a rare public statement demanding a "tough stance" to be taken against Algeria, "When you insult my dignity... I will beat you on the head." He  told an Egyptian news programme.

The comments only added to a gathering storm which had seen Algerian flags being burned, and anti-Algerian chants filling the air.

The sides could, if Egypt do not follow through with a recent threat to withdraw from international football, meet again as early as January in the African Cup of Nations if both make it out of their respective group stages.