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Boy dead, dozens injured in Egypt protests

An Egyptian protester holds a national flag in front of security forces in downtown Egypt, on February 3, 2012. Egyptian Health Ministry said Friday that some 1,500 people were wounded in clashes that erupted because of a deadly soccer riot two days before that has been blamed on the security forces. UPI/ Mohamad Hosam
An Egyptian protester holds a national flag in front of security forces in downtown Egypt, on February 3, 2012. Egyptian Health Ministry said Friday that some 1,500 people were wounded in clashes that erupted because of a deadly soccer riot two days before that has been blamed on the security forces. UPI/ Mohamad Hosam | License Photo

PORT SAID, Egypt, March 24 (UPI) -- A 13-year-old boy was fatally shot and dozens of others were injured in clashes between security forces and soccer fans in Port Said, Egypt, officials said.

The clashes came after the al-Masry soccer team was banned for two seasons in response to the Port Said Stadium riot Feb. 1 in which 74 fans were killed, the BBC reported.

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Witnesses said the latest clashes began late Friday and continued into early Saturday, as hundreds of soccer fans angered by the ban protested in the streets, al-Masry al-Youm reported.

Army soldiers used tear gas and fired shots in the air to disperse protesters, witnesses said.

The 13-year-old victim died in a hospital after being shot in the back, officials said.

Fans have blamed the February riot on an attack they say was plotted by members of the former Mubarak regime.

During the riot, steel doors to the stadium were shut and the stadium lights were turned off. Dozens of people were crushed to death and more than 1,000 people were injured. Critics said stadium officials and police did not confiscate fireworks, knives and other weapons from people as they entered the stadium.

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Egypt's chief prosecutor has charged 75 people, including nine police officers, with murder or negligence over the Feb. 1 riot.

The BBC said many Egyptians believe the authorities were behind the February violence or allowed it to punish al-Ahly supporters known as Ultras, who had confronted police during last year's political protests.

The soccer season was canceled after the February riot.

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