Violence in Cairo after Port Said stadium ruling

Two people were killed in clashes in Cairo and the Mediterranean city of Port Said on 9 March following an Egyptian court's decision to uphold the death sentences against 21 people found guilty of causing the February 2012 soccer riot in which 74 people were killed.

The ruling concludes a high-profile and controversial trial which saw a further  45 people receive prison sentences, including a Port Said former security chief and a colonel who got 15 years terms each; while 28 people were acquitted, including seven police officials.

The trial over the violence in Port Said's Al-Masry Stadium after a league match between local side Al-Masry and Cairo club Al-Ahly has been the cause of significant civil unrest in Egypt in recent weeks, leading to the deaths of at least 40 protesters in Port Said.

The 9 March protests saw the Egyptian football federation building and a police officer's club in Cairo set on fire, while in Port Said protesters attempted to block shipping access to the Suez Canal.

Cairo’s Al-Ahly fans accuse the police of collusion in the killing of their fellow supporters, as well as failing to intervene as they were attacked by Al-Masry fans.

However the Port Said supporters claim the trial was politicised and biased in favour of Al-Ahly, Egypt's most powerful club.