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Dispute triggers soccer riot
03/03/2008 18:28 - (SA)
Antananarivo, Madagascar - Sixteen people were arrested as furious fans rioted in Madagascar's biggest soccer stadium in a row over a cancelled African Champions League match.
Local news reports said on Monday that the riots started when the match on Sunday between local team Ajesaia and Mozambique's Costa Do Sol in the nation's capital Antananarivo was called off on short notice over an officiating dispute.
Officials told the 35 000 fans in the Mahamasina stadium that no refund was possible, which prompted hundreds of fans to go on the rampage inside and outside the arena.
The fans demolished stadium inventory, injured three policemen and set alight several cars. The Costa do Sol team hotel was put under police protection.
The officiating dispute occurred because only two of the three assigned officials from the Comoros were present for the match and Costa do Sol objected to a Madagascar match official filling the third place.
The reports said that the match is now due to be played on Tuesday, with a third official from Mauritius. - Sapa-dpa
- SAPA
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