CAIRO: Three protesters were killed in Egypt overnight as protesters, infuriated by the Port Said stadium disaster, confronted central security forces across the country. Two protesters were shot dead  in the port city of Suez by security forces defending a police station while the other death was in Cairo.

The death of 74 Al-Ahly fans after the game against Al-Masry brought thousands of Ultras Ahlawy – hard-core Ahly fans – and other protesters out on to streets, demanding justice for the dead and Egypt’s military rulers to step down.

Cairo on Friday morning saw thousands of protesters surround the Ministry of Interior building, the focus of marches on Thursday and site of clashes in which one protester was shot dead and 1,482 were injured during the night. Most of the injuries appear to be a result of tear gas inhalation but rubber bullets were also reported by Al-Ahram.

In Tahrir Square a mass protest was expected after Friday noon prayers. The square had been taken over by around 1,000 protesters waving the flags of rival clubs Ahly and Zamalek. They were chanting against the military council and demanding justice for victims of the violence.

Football riots have been frequent since last year’s revolution which toppled former President Hosni Mubarak with tensions rising steadily between fans and security forces. The  EFA had claimed repeatedly that it  would clamp down on disorder, the latest of which before Wednesday was in Ismaili’s goalless draw at home to Al-Masry last week.