Amid claims of a political motive to the violence and criticism of the security forces Egypt’s military ruler has been quick to act. Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi met Al Ahli players and supporters, some of them injured, as they returned home.

In a phone interview with the club’s TV channel, he said victims would be financially compensated and announced three days of national mourning.

He told reporters that a criminal inquiry had been opened into this event, which, he said, had caused the Egyptian people such sadness. “This inquiry will reveal the causes and those who are to blame. The guilty will be punished,” he added.

Elsewhere, friends and families gathered outside Cairo’s main train station to greet wounded supporters who had managed to get home after the violence in Port Said.

Some voiced their anger over what they believed was the inability or unwillingness of the police to prevent the mayhem.

Others blamed followers of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak for starting the attacks.

The Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s biggest party in parliament, said they had been orchestrated by what it called an invisible hand.