Nov 20, 2009
By Yasmine Saleh and Shaimaa Fayed

CAIRO (Reuters) - Cairo recalled its envoy to Algiers and Egyptians burned the Algerian flag on Thursday after Egypt's soccer team lost to Algeria in a play-off to reach the World Cup finals, accusing its fans of post-match thuggery.

The actions are the latest in a tit-for-tat spat between the North African countries about minor violence surrounding World Cup qualifying matches played on Saturday in Egypt, and on Wednesday in Sudan.

Egypt's state-run EGYNews website said Cairo was recalling its ambassador for consultations over violence against Egyptians after Wednesday's match that Egypt has blamed on Algerian fans.

About 2,000 protestors, some burning Algerian flags, gathered near Algeria's embassy in Cairo late on Thursday to protest what they said was attacks on their compatriots and called for the Algerian envoy to leave, witnesses said.

A Reuters witness said two police pick-up vans were damaged, one had been overturned with windows smashed. Witnesses said at least three other cars were overturned and protesters scuffled with police using teargas to stop them reaching the embassy.

Such protests are rare in Egypt where demonstrations are usually small and swiftly contained by police.

Egypt won Saturday's game 2-0 in Cairo, scoring their second goal deep into stoppage time, to leave the two teams level at the top of African qualifying Group C.

That set up Wednesday's playoff in Khartoum, selected by Egypt when they won a draw to choose the venue.