BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The Cairo Criminal Court on Saturday ordered the death sentence for 21 defendants over the soccer violence which killed more than 70 people last February.

Seventy-three defendants, including nine top security officials, were arrested for a tragic clash at Port Said Stadium after a match between teams from Port Said and Cairo. It’s a decision that has roused riots, but also brought relief to the families of the victims.

After almost one year of Portsaid’s stadium disaster, an Egyptian court sentenced 21 defendants to death in the football massacre that left 72 dead.The ruling for the rest of the 73 accused is set for March the 9th.

The judge read out a list of the names who had been "referred to the Mufti", a phrase used to denote a death verdict as all such sentences must be reviewed by the Egypt’s top religious authority.

Tarek Negeeda, lawyer, said, "According to the law when there is a referral to the mufti there is a death sentence. The mufti is a consultant to the court they can accept or decline the verdict and usually they approve. Today we are at a blood case and the retribution is important and I think the mufti will support this."

Soon after the verdict the families of the deceased cheered happily calling it the beginning for a long journey for justice for those killed in the clashes.

“It is just the beginning. Thanks god this is the first step and we will not be over excited. All of the rights of the martyrs must return. The killers should be sentenced. All of those who prepared for this tragedy have to pay. "

Mother of a victim said, "The judge made our hearts happy and we will wait for the rest of the verdict for involved and accused police who facilitated for the killing our sons. My son should now rest in peace knowing that his right is back"

Thousands of Ultras Ahlawy fans celebrated the court verdict with fireworks and chanting at the Ahly Club grounds in Cairo. The fans group has been protesting for almost one year demanding the rights of the fans who have been killed.

As the verdict was issued in Port Said, the families of the condemned attempted to storm the city prison with reports saying they used live ammunition killing police staff.

(Source: CNTV.cn)