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Egypt football: Death sentences over Port Said stadium violence

Supporters of the victims celebrated the verdict in Cairo

 

An Egyptian court has sentenced 21 people to death over football riots that killed 74 last year, with the verdict sparking fresh deadly violence.

 

The riots - Egypt's worst-ever football disaster - began after a top-league game at Port Said stadium.

 

The ruling caused anger in Port Said, where eight people died as supporters of the defendants clashed with police.

 

The riots began minutes after the game in Port Said. Fans of local side al-Masry invaded the pitch, hurling stones and fireworks at visiting supporters from Cairo club al-Ahly.

 

The violence in Port Said sparked riots in Cairo during which a further 16 people died.

 

A section of al-Ahly supporters, known as the "ultras", played a prominent role in the protests against ex-President Mubarak.

 

Some accused supporters of the toppled leader of instigating the Port Said violence. They also accused them of doing little to prevent it.

 

All 21 defendants sentenced to death on Saturday were al-Masry fans. When the verdicts were announced by a judge in the Cairo court, relatives of victims cheered.

 

However, the ruling sparked violence in Port Said, Supporters and relatives of those sentenced tried to storm the prison where the defendants are held.

 

The eight people who died in the clash included two policemen, officials say. Army units were deployed on the city's streets following the violence.

 

Seventy-three people, including nine policemen, were tried over the stadium clashes. None are al-Ahly fans.

 

The judge said he would announce verdicts for the remaining defendants on 9 March.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21209808

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