Senegal-Ivory Coast Afcon qualifying game abandoned after crowd trouble

Oct 13, 2012 9:50:00 PM

The crucial 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier between the two sides ended abruptly in the second half after missile launching fans caused the game to be stopped

The crucial 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier between Senegal and Ivory Coast has been abandoned after crowd trouble brought the game to a premature halt.

Violent scenes occurred after Didier Drogba scored two goals to dash the hopes of the Teranga Lions, who now needed five goals to find their way to South Africa 2013.

The match officials including the referees were driven off the pitch as security officials tried to protect Ivory Coast supporters - who came under severe attack in the stadium.

The stands became empty after police fired teargas to disperse the unruly fans, who hurled plastic bottles onto the pitch while also burning flags and newspapers that turned the entire atmosphere at the Sedar Senghor Stadium hostile.

For close to 25 minutes, the players and security were left speechless on the pitch unsure of the fate of the game as hundreds of other Ivory Coast supporters, who were fleeing from danger, joined them in the inner perimeter for safety.

The match had entered into the 76th minute and Ivory Coast were leading by two goals (6-2 on agg). Early on, a fan had made an incursion onto the pitch which was the catalyst for ugly scenes to break out which marred the qualifier.

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Transfer Talk: Terry and Nani wanted by Galatasaray
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind