A court in Egypt have just sentenced 11 football fans to death after a retrial concerning a 2012 stadium riot in the city of Port Said. The initial riot left as much as 74 people dead.

The riot happened one day during a premier league game between home team Al Masry and Cairo's own Al Ahly. The retrial took place after an appeals court ordered for it on 73 defendants in February of last year.

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It was done after they rejected a verdict from the lower court that sentenced as much as 21 people to death for their involvement in the riot. These 11 death sentences are being referred to Egypt's grand mufti.

The final say on the case will come on May 30 when the court will make their final decision on the matter.

Included in the 73 defendants that were ordered to carry out retrials on included nine police officers from the Al Masry club, with all the rest being fans of the two teams. Currently, two of those sentenced to death are trying to escape their fate by going on the run.

During the hearings done yesterday in Cairo for security purposes, no family members of the victims nor the defendants attended the trial.

The riot, referred to as the deadliest sports-related riot in Egypt, went on to claim more lives when the event subsequently sparked other protests in Cairo. An additional 16 people died when fighting with security forces.

Since the stadium seemed to be a hub for senseless lives lost, the police decided to ban fans from watching premier league matches. They conducted the games behind closed doors.

However, 19 more fatalities took place when police fired teargas at fans who were trying to enter the stadium. A stampede formed and more lives were lost.

While the actions of the police were caught on tape, they denied any responsibility they might have had in the situation and indicated that Islamists were to blame in the unrest.

TagsEgyptian court, football riot, Egypt, Port Said, trial