25 Mar 2012

Deadly violence in Egypt over football team ban

9:05 am on 25 March 2012

A 13-year-old boy has been shot dead in unrest Egypt during new clashes over the suspension of a football team, according to state media.

Hundreds of angry fans took to the streets of Port Said, besieging a government building, and troops fired into the air to try to disperse the crowds.

Protesters hurled stones at the security forces. In return, they lobbed tear gas and fired bullets into the air, witnesses said.

Local media reported at least one protestor - a 13-year-old boy - was shot dead in the latest clashes.

Reuters quoted a medical source as saying that two more people were being treated for gunshot wounds.

Demonstrators gathered outside the administrative headquarters of the Suez Canal. The harbour was closed and protesters blocked roads into the city

The BBC reports the ban on the al-Masry club was imposed because of match violence in February that killed at least 74 people. A criminal investigation into that incident is ongoing.

The suspension means al-Masry will not compete in competition until the end of 2013.