SEVENTY-FOUR people were killed when supporters clashed at an Egyptian soccer match, prompting fans and politicians Thursday to turn on the ruling army for failing to prevent the deadliest incident since Hosni Mubarak was ousted.

    At least 1,000 people were injured in the violence Wednesday when soccer fans invaded the pitch in the Mediterranean city of Port Said, after local team al-Masry beat visitors from Cairo, Al Ahli, Egypt’s most successful club.

    Angry politicians denounced the lack of security at the match and accused military leaders of allowing, or even causing, the fighting. The Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group that dominates parliament, saw an “invisible” hand at work.

    The city’s streets were quiet at dawn, with few police or army officers in sight.

    Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the state television building and marches across the capital were planned.

    Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, 76, who heads the ruling military council, took an unusual step of speaking by telephone to a television channel, the sport broadcaster owned by Al Ahli, vowing to track down the culprits. The army announced three days of national mourning.

    As with past flare-ups, it quickly turned political. Parliament was expected to hold an emergency session later Thursday to discuss the violence.

    The two soccer teams, al-Masry and Al Ahli, have a history of fierce rivalry. Witnesses said fighting began after Ahli fans unfurled banners insulting Port Said and one descended to the pitch carrying an iron bar at the end of the match.

    Al-Masry fans poured onto the pitch and attacked Al Ahli players before turning to attack rival supporters.

    Many fans died in a subsequent stampede, while some were flung off their seats onto the pitch and were killed by the fall. At the height of the disturbances, rioting fans fired flares straight into the stands.

    Television footage showed fans running onto the field and chasing Al Ahli players. A small group of riot police formed a corridor to protect the players, but they appeared overwhelmed and fans were still able to kick and punch players as they fled.

    (SD-Agencies)