A Cairo criminal court sentenced on Tuesday four members of the Al-Ahly hardcore fan group Ultras Ahlawy to 15-years in prison and another juvenile to five-years, over charges of committing violent incidents during a basketball game in December 2014.

The verdict can be appealed.

The prosecution in the case referred the defendants to the criminal court over charges of disrupting public peace, endangering lives and vandalising public properties during a basketball game between Ahly and Zamalek clubs in 2014.

Clashes between ultras groups and security forces have taken place on several occasions  since the killing of over 70 fans of Al-Ahly after thousands of Masry fans attacked them in February 2012.

The Ultras group believes that security forces colluded to deliberately kill the Fans of Al-Ahly club. 

Last week, Egypt’s court of cassation issued a final verdict for 10 defendants over murder-related charges in the 2012 Port Said stadium massacre, upholding a June 2015 death sentence.

The defendants were found guilty on charges of premeditated murder and attempted murder of Ahly Football Club fans, thuggery, vandalism and theft.

Seventy-three defendants, including nine police officers, were charged in the killing of the 72 Ahly fans.

Ultras groups were banned by a Cairo court and labelled terrorist organisations in May 2015.