74 killed in Egyptian soccer match riot

A soccer fan flees from a fire at Cairo stadium Feb, 1, 2012. Crowds set parts of the stadium on fire in reaction to a soccer pitch invasion during another soccer match held at the Egyptian city of Port Said. [Photo/Agencies]

CAIRO - At least 74 people were killed and hundreds of others injured in a soccer match riot in Port Said of Egypt, state media reported on Wednesday night.

Nile TV reported 74 were killed and hundreds injured in the riot in Port Said.  

Port Said's team el-Masry beat the most popular el-Ahly three to one in an Egyptian Premier League match. The fans of the rival teams threw stones at each other amid a weak presence of security forces, state TV channel reported.

In the Port Said stadium which hosted the football game, el-Ahly supporters carried signs that insulted the other team, which triggered the clash, according to the Nile TV.  

A big fire erupted in Cairo International Stadium where another match between Zamalik and Ismaily teams was cancelled because of the riot.

President of the Egyptian Football Association Samir Zahar decided to postpone the Egyptian premier league.

Chief of Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Hussein Tantawi ordered two military planes to fly to the riot scene and airlift the players, fans and the injured to Cairo.

Egyptian Prosecutor General Abdel Maguid Mahmoud ordered an investigation into the riot.

The parliament will hold an emergency session on Thursday over the clash.

In this still image taken from video, soccer fans invade the pitch during a soccer match between Al Ahli and al-Masry in Port Said Feb 1, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]