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Senegal-Ivory Coast football match abandoned after rioting

Senegal's African Nations Cup tie with Ivory Coast was abandoned on Saturday when riot police fired teargas inside the packed stadium as thousands of fans lit fires and threw objects in protest at the home team's performance.

 Fans of Ivory Coast's national football team help other fans escape the violence in the Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar.
Fans of Ivory Coast's national football team help other fans escape the violence in the Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar. Credit: Stringer/Reuters

Five or six people were carried from the stadium on stretchers after the rioting while hundreds of Ivory Coast fans were huddled together on the field being guarded by police as clashes continued in the streets outside, said a Reuters eyewitness.

The referee halted the second-leg qualifying match with about 14 minutes to go and the visiting Ivorians 2-0 up thanks to two goals from former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, the second from the penalty spot.

Senegalese football fans throw rocks at police.
Senegalese football fans throw rocks at police. Credit: Stringer/Reuters

Both teams were then escorted out of the ground by security forces.

It is likely the result will stand but there was no immediate confirmation from the Confederation of African Football organisers.

Victory would send the Ivorians through to the finals in South Africa in January and eliminate Senegal.

Security officials assist an injured fan.
Security officials assist an injured fan. Credit: Stringer/Reuters

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