Egypt death sentences upheld

Egyptian protesters torched buildings in Cairo as a court ruling on a deadly football riot fuelled further anger in the city.

The court confirmed the death sentences imposed on 21 local football fans for their role in the riot last year that killed more than 70 people in the city of Port Said.

But the court also angered rival fans in Cairo by acquitting a further 28 defendants, including seven members of the police force.

Traffic on the Suez Canal is unaffected by protesters, a state news agency reported.

Fans of Cairo's Al-Ahly football club have stormed Egypt's Soccer Federation headquarters, setting it alight in anger after a court acquitted seven of nine police officials on trial for their alleged role in deadly stadium violence last year.

The fires followed a court verdict earlier today that confirmed death sentences against 21 people for their role in the 2012 riot that killed 74 people after a game in the city of Port Said.

The court also sentenced two senior police officers to 15 years in prison, but acquitted seven other security officials.

Fans of Cairo's Al-Ahly club storm Egypt's Soccer Federation headquarters and set it alight.

Around 2,000 protesters blocked car ferries from crossing the Suez Canal after a court ruled that 21 soccer fans would be sentenced to death, witnesses told Reuters.

Protesters reportedly also untied moored speedboats used to supply shipping in a bid to disrupt passing vessels.

Military police recovered five boats and brought them back to shore in Port Said, but two were still drifting, one witness said.

The Egyptian court confirmed the death sentences against 21 people this morning. It comes after their role in a football riot that killed more than 70 people in the city of Port Said in January.

An Egyptian court confirmed that 21 football fans would be sentenced to death after the Port Said stadium violence that killed 74 people, Reuters reported. A further five have been sentenced to life in jail.

• Read: Timeline of events in Port Said football riot
• Read: Football death sentences prompt deadly clashes