Riots At Guinea Stadium That Killed 56 People Referred To A Controversial Referee's Decision

UNSPLASH/Pawel Janiak ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The controversial referee's decision sparked violence and chaos in a football match in southeastern Guinea, killing 56 people.

The riots took place in the final of the tournament in honor of Guinea's military leader Mamady Doumbouya at the stadium in Nzerekore, one of the country's largest cities. There has been no explanation of the referee's decision to incite riots to casualties due to a path.

Some fans threw stones, sparking panic and crowds, the government said in a statement.

Reported by Reuters on Monday, December 2, speaking without wanting to be named, a city government official said many of the victims were minors who were caught in chaos after police started firing tear gas.

The official described the conditions of confusion and chaos when some parents took the body before it was officially calculated.

Videos and photos on social media show the victims lying on the ground. In one video, more than a dozen bodies can be seen, some of which are children.

Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.

The opposition group of the National Alliance for Change and Democracy said authorities are responsible for organizing tournaments to increase political support for Doumbouya which contradicts the transition charter before the promised presidential election.