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Egypt football violence: Tear gas during Cairo clashes Egypt football violence: Tear gas during Cairo clashes
(about 1 hour later)
Demonstrators angered by the deaths of 74 people after a football match in the city of Port Said on Wednesday have clashed with police outside the Egyptian interior ministry in Cairo. Nearly 400 people have been injured in Cairo in fresh clashes between police and protesters angered by the deaths of 74 people on Wednesday after a football match in the city of Port Said.
Hundreds have been injured, state-owned Egyptian TV reported. Thousands marched to the interior ministry, where police fired tear gas to keep them back.
Earlier, the Egyptian prime minister announced the sackings of senior officials in Port Said and at the Egyptian football association. Earlier, the Egyptian prime minister announced the sackings of several senior officials.
Funerals of some of the victims took place in Port Said.Funerals of some of the victims took place in Port Said.
Wednesday's riot began when fans invaded the pitch after a football match involving top Cairo club al-Ahly and the Port Said side al-Masry. The deaths on Wednesday came when fans invaded the pitch after a football match involving top Cairo club al-Ahly and the Port Said side al-Masry.
Young, poor and unemployed - many of the Ahly football fans caught up in the violence on the terraces in Port Said also took part in the battles for Tahrir Square. What they want are jobs and the opportunity to escape their predicament. What they hate are privileged and powerful symbols of authority. Revolution
Internet forums and blogs are full of conspiracy theories, blaming the generals for deliberately allowing Ahly fans to be attacked. The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's biggest political movement, also accused the military of fomenting unrest to prevent the peaceful transfer of power. Young, poor and unemployed - many of the al-Ahly football fans caught up in the violence on the terraces in Port Said also took part in the battles for Tahrir Square. What they want are jobs and the opportunity to escape their predicament. What they hate are privileged and powerful symbols of authority.
Internet forums and blogs are full of conspiracy theories, blaming the generals for deliberately allowing al-Ahly fans to be attacked. The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's biggest political movement, also accused the military of fomenting unrest to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.
That seems far-fetched. All we know for sure is that poorly paid and poorly trained riot police failed to keep apart two sets of football fans with a history of violence and mutual hatred.That seems far-fetched. All we know for sure is that poorly paid and poorly trained riot police failed to keep apart two sets of football fans with a history of violence and mutual hatred.
After the overthrow of President Mubarak, you might expect everyone to now come together, preparing for a new era. But the reality is that Egypt is still a country in turmoil.After the overthrow of President Mubarak, you might expect everyone to now come together, preparing for a new era. But the reality is that Egypt is still a country in turmoil.
Slogans and stones Throughout Thursday, al-Ahly supporters gathered outside the club's stadium in Cairo. A series of protest marches moved towards Tahrir Square, and then on to the ministry of interior.
In Cairo, people gathered in the streets around Tahrir Square, the focal point of last year's protests which led to the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. Some chanted slogans against Egypt's military rulers, while others threw stones.
Demonstrators, many of them al-Ahly supporters known as Ultras, used metal barriers and vehicles to close the square. "Our army must choose between the military council and the revolutionaries,'' they chanted.
Thousands then marched to the interior ministry, some 500m (547 yards) away. Some chanted slogans against Egypt's military rulers, while others threw stones. Police fired tear gas to keep the thousands of protesters away from the ministry, which is protected by concrete barricades.
Police responded with tear gas, causing hundreds to run away.
Motorcycles ferried the injured from the scene as ambulances were unable to get through.Motorcycles ferried the injured from the scene as ambulances were unable to get through.
Channel 1 of Egyptian TV, which is state-owned, said 382 people had been injured, of whom 266 were taken to hospital, while the remainder were treated on site. The Egyptian state news agency Mena quoted a health ministry official as saying 388 protesters were injured. Most of them were suffering from tear gas inhalation as well as bruises and broken bones from rocks that were thrown.
TV pictures from Cairo showed crowds outside the barricades which surround the interior ministry. Al-Ahly supporters, known as "ultras", played a prominent role in last year's street protests which led to the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak.
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Cairo, says the ultras believe they were targeted for their support for the revolution over the past year.
They accuse the police of deliberately allowing al-Masry fans to attack them.
Earlier on Thursday, parliament met in emergency session, beginning with a minute's silence.Earlier on Thursday, parliament met in emergency session, beginning with a minute's silence.
Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri told MPs the head of Egypt's football association had been sacked and the board dissolved, with its members referred to prosecutors for questioning.Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri told MPs the head of Egypt's football association had been sacked and the board dissolved, with its members referred to prosecutors for questioning.
Port Said's director of security and the head of investigations were suspended and are now in custody, Mr Ganzouri said.Port Said's director of security and the head of investigations were suspended and are now in custody, Mr Ganzouri said.
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in Cairo, says there is a mood of extreme bitterness. Many supporters believe police were incompetent, or actively provoked the unrest.
Police in Egypt have been keeping a much lower profile since last year's popular protests.Police in Egypt have been keeping a much lower profile since last year's popular protests.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood - which has emerged as Egypt's biggest party in recent elections - blamed ex-President Mubarak's supporters for the violence. The Muslim Brotherhood - which has emerged as Egypt's biggest party in recent elections - blamed ex-President Mubarak's supporters for the violence.
Are you in Cairo? Have you witnessed the clashes? Please send us your stories using the form below.Are you in Cairo? Have you witnessed the clashes? Please send us your stories using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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