A club coach from Egypt has spoken of last night's riots which left 74 dead.

Manuel Jose, 65, was in charge of Cairo club Al-Ahly when the violence erupted in the game against Al-Masry in Port Said yesterday.

The Portuguese coach, who has since returned to his country, also spoke of how he was beaten with "fists and kicks" and saw fans die before his eyes.

"I was beaten with fists and kicks to the neck, head and feet," said Jose.

"I saw our fans die before us and we were unable to do anything."

The Egyptian Football Association has since suspended all leagues in the North African country.

Al-Ahly assistant coach Pedro Barny added: "From the beginning of the game, the fans of the opposing team were allowed to fire rockets and stones at us without any intervention.

"In the end, it turned into a state of madness without any role for the security in the stands.

"We tried to save the lives of some of the fans, but many died before our eyes."

Jose, who has played for and managed Benfica, added that the experience will make him think about his life differently.

"Nothing happened to any of the players but we feel overwhelming sadness and the return flight [home to Portugal] was made in silence, full of respect for the lives of our fans who died.

"I have to think about my life differently now. Although everybody loves me greatly here, this experience has changed my life completely."

Many of the fans died due to suffocation after becoming trapped in a narrow corridor as they fled the violence and it has also been alleged that there were many knives present in the stadium.