A court in Egypt has started retrials of 11 football fans convicted over deadly riots that broke out last year in the northeastern city of Port Said.

The hearings began on Tuesday for the defendants who were tried in absentia back in January and handed sentences ranging from 15 years to life in prison.

Later, the court in Port Said granted a trial date after the men turned themselves in September.

On February 1, 2012, football fans invaded the field of Port Said Stadium where al-Masry defeated al-Ahly, the most popular team in the North African country, three to one.

At least 74 people were killed and 1,000 injured in the violence.

A total of 73 defendants stood trial over the massacre, 28 of whom - mostly security personnel - were acquitted.

Many say the convictions were political and that no evidence was brought against them.