Egypt Football Riot: Victims' Funerals Begin

Egypt's football federation has been dissolved and prosecutors are set to question its members as funerals for dozens of people killed during a violent pitch invasion begin.

At least 74 people died and hundreds more were injured in Port Said after the home team Al Masry beat Egypt's top club Al Ahly in a league match.

Supporters then stormed the pitch and scores of fans were stabbed to death and others suffocated after they became trapped in a corridor as they tried to flee.

The clashes, which are the worst case of football violence in the country and the deadliest worldwide since 1996, have sparked fresh concerns about Egypt's stability.

They came on the anniversary of one of the most violent days of the 18-day uprising against Hosni Mubarak.

Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri has now dissolved the Egyptian Soccer Federation and referred its members to prosecutors for questioning following the deadly fighting.

At an emergency meeting of parliament, Mr el-Ganzouri also announced that the governor of Port Said province and the area's police chief have resigned.

Many Egyptians have blamed the police and the ruling military for failing to prevent the rioting, amid claims the security lapse was intended to stoke uncertainty.

Parliament Speaker Saad el-Katatni, of the Muslim Brotherhood, accused the security forces of hesitating and putting "the revolution in danger".

Another Brotherhood lawmaker, Essam el-Erian, claimed: "This tragedy is a result of intentional reluctance by the military and the police."

Abbas Mekhimar, the head of parliament's defence committee, added: "This is a complete crime. This is part of the scenario of fuelling chaos against Egypt."

Fresh protests and marches against the police are planned for later on Thursday.

Dozens of angry protesters sealed off Tahrir Square - the centre of last year's uprising - earlier and others blocked nearby streets in preparation.

The violence erupted after Al Masry won 3-1 and supporters armed with knives, sticks and stones swarmed onto the pitch.

Fans of the opposition and players were forced to flee for their lives, running towards the exits and up the stands to escape.

A narrow stadium corridor turned into a death trap as crowds of fans were crushed against a locked gate.

The manager of the losing team had to be rescued as he was beaten. Blood stains could later be seen on stadium chairs and shoes lost in the melee littered the grass.

Visiting fan Ahmed Ghaffar said: "Layers of people were stuck over each other because there was no other exit. We were between two choices - either death coming from behind us or the closed doors."

Another survivor, Mahmoud Ibrahim, 22, said the lights had been turned off and people left "to kill each other".

"We went down trying to get out and everyone was pushing. Under me was more than three people and I am being pushed. Everyone is pushing trying to breathe," he said.

Goalkeeper Sharif Ikrami, who was injured in the clashes, said: "There were people dying in front of us. It's over. We've all made a decision that we won't play soccer any more. How will we play soccer after 70 people died? We can't think about it."

Another player, Mohammed Abu Trika, said: "People here are dying and no-one is doing a thing. It's like a war. Is life this cheap?"

The Interior Ministry said 74 people had been killed, including one police officer. Another 248 people were injured and more than 40 people have been arrested.

Al Masry's manager Kamal Abu Ali has resigned in protest. "This is not about soccer, this is bigger than that. This is a plot to topple the state," he said.

Witnesses said lines of riot police largely did nothing to intervene.

The ministry is said to have issued directives to its personnel not to "engage" with civilians after clashes between police and protesters in November left 40 people dead.

Troops were later deployed on the streets and were on patrol near hospitals and morgues.

The violence was a bloody reminder of the deteriorating security in the country as instability continues nearly a year after Mubarak was swept from power.

Egyptian Islamists have accused supporters of Mubarak of provoking the violence in order to show that emergency regulations giving security forces wide powers must be maintained.

Albadry Farghali, a member of parliament for Port Said, said: "The security forces did this or allowed it to happen. The men of Mubarak are still ruling. The head of the regime has fallen but all his men are still in their positions. Where is the security? Where is the government?"

There was also anger in Cairo, 200km (125 miles) away, after another football match was called off in mourning. Parts of the stadium were set alight.

Many gathered outside the Al Ahly club in the capital, chanting slogans. Others gathered at the main train station to receive the injured arriving from Port Said.

"We die like them or we ensure their rights," the crowds chanted, along with other phrases denouncing the military rulers.

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of the military leadership that assumed power after Mubarak, insisted: "This will not bring Egypt down.

"These incidents happen anywhere in the world. We will not let those behind it go. This will not affect Egypt and its security."

The violence has underscored the role of some football fans - known as ultras - in Egypt's recent protest movement.

They were at the forefront of last year's violent protests and in more recent months have clashed with soldiers during rallies to demand an end to military rule.

The ultras have now accused the military council and former members of Mubaraks' regime of relatiating against them.

In a statement, the Ultras of Al Ahly said: "They want to punish us and execute us for our participation in the revolution against suppression."

It vowed a "new war in defence of our revolution".

In Port Said, residents have already marched to denounce the violence which they claimed was a conspiracy by the military and police to cause chaos.

Three days of mourning have been declared by the military and the Egyptian parliament has convened an emergency session.

The country's state prosecutor has also ordered an immediate investigation into the violence and the Egypt Football Association has indefinitely suspended league games.

It is the worst death toll at a football match since October 16 1996, when at least 78 people were killed in a stampede during a World Cup qualifier between Guatemala and Costa Rica.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said: "This is a black day for football. Such a catastrophic situation is unimaginable and should not happen."

The Confederation of African Football, which organises the African Cup, has ordered that a minute's silence be held before all matches this weekend as a mark of respect.