Cairo in sombre mood over Stadium disaster

Egypt's capital Cairo is engulfed in a sombre mood following the death of 74 soccer fans after the match between al Masry and Al-Ahly, which the former won 3-1 in Port Said.

It is reported from Egypt that some fans from the home team, al Masry, apparently walked into the stadium with knives.

Following what they regarded as provocation from an Al Ahly fan who hoisted a banner insulting al-Masry fans, the fans invaded the stadium at the end of the match, beating up players and Al-Ahly fans.

A small group of riot police at the stadium tried to protect the players but were overwhelmed, and some of them are among the dead.

Most of the fans and riot police reportedly died of concussions and deep cuts to the heads and suffocation resulting from the stampede.

There was mayhem at the stadium according to one fan who spoke to a private TV station on condition of anonymity.

"Everyone was beating us. They were beating us from inside and outside, with fireworks, stones, metal bars, and some had knives, I swear," the affected fan said.

Al-Ahly fans are reportedly angry at the death of their colleagues and have planned a demonstration in central Cairo.

The angry fans  closed off Tahrir Square and state TV this morning and wish to protest against police's poor handling of the situation at the stadium in Port Said on Wednesday night. 

The current governing regime has come under fire and some are blaming it for incompetence for the disaster, while others are accusing the police of having had a hand in the protest, either by having been incompetent or by actively encouraging the protest.

Fifa have issued a statement through president Sepp Blatter who described the death of 74 fans as a black day in football.

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