Egypt investigates deadly soccer riot

CAIRO, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- A deadly soccer riot after a match in Egypt is being investigated to determine if it was caused by intense sports rivalry or political strife, officials said.

At least 73 people died and scores were injured Wednesday in the clash between rival fans in Port Said, CNN reported.

A committee will investigate the circumstances that caused the riot Wednesday after the home al-Masry team beat Cairo's al-Ahly team 3-1, Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said in a statement Thursday.

Emergency officials said fans from both sides bashed each other with rocks and chairs, CNN reported. Many of the victims died when they fell from the bleachers. Others suffocated, witnesses said.

Mamdouh Eid, the executive manager of the al-Ahly fans committee said police were slow to step in to stop the violence.

"The police stood there watching, and the ambulances arrived late. I carried several dead fans in my arms," he was quoted as saying by CNN.

Eid said tensions had been building during the game and alleged Port Said fans threw bottles and rocks at players.

"There were organized groups in the crowds that purposely provoked the police all through the match and escalated the violence and stormed onto the field after the final whistle," said Gen. Marwan Mustapha of Egypt's interior ministry. "Our policemen tried to contain them, but not engage."

At least 47 people were arrested after the clashes, he said.

Egypt's Islamic Muslim Brotherhood has claimed the violence was linked to an "invisible" foreign hand, Bikyamasr.com reported.

"This confirms that there is invisible planning that is behind this unjustified massacre. The authorities have been negligent," the group said in a statement on its Web site. "We fear that some officers are punishing the people for their revolution and for depriving them of their ability to act as tyrants and restricting their privileges."

Al-Ahly players said police and armed forces were nowhere to be seen during or after the clashes. Video shows riot police, clad with shields, standing immobile and not moving to intervene, Bikyamasr.com reported.