New Delhi: Clashes between football fans have left many killed at a football match in N’Zerekore, Guinea, according to hospital sources that AFP have quoted. Doctors have reported from the scene of carnage, saying the “morgue was full” and bodies were lying everywhere.
While one doctor, maintaining anonymity, said that there were “100 dead”, another has said that at least “a dozen” were dead and filling the local hospitals. While videos are circulating on social media showing the scenes of the mayhem on the streets with many bodies on the ground, their authenticity hasn’t been confirmed by AFP.
According to witnesses, demonstrators had vandalised and even set fire to police stations at N’Zerekore. Witnesses also noted that the chaos began with a referee’s contested decision, which resulted in fans invading the pitch.
As reported by the local media, the match was part of a tournament organised to honour Guniea’s current president and junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, who overtook power in 2021 through a coup. Lately, these types of tournaments have increased, with Doumbouya trying to establish himself and preparing for the elections next year with the political landscape constantly changing in the country.
Doumbouya overtook President Alpha Conde’s power back in September 2021, with the then-colonel in charge of an elite force tasked with avoiding any such coups. With growing international pressure, he had pledged to hand over the power to a civilian government by the end of 2024 but has since reversed his previous word and stated he will not concede power.
He has been known for cracking down on any form of opposing power and has misused his position for his benefit, promoting his rank last month as an army general. He has been known for detaining or exiling those who can challenge his power. The recent events have left the community at N’Zerekore, the second-largest city in the West African nation, in shock. Questions have been raised about the growing tensions around such tournaments organised in Doumouya’s honour.
Local hospitals have reported at least dozens lives were lost after clashes broke out during a football game and spread out on the streets of N’Zerekore. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
