ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2019

Crowd trouble mars Headingley thriller after scuffles in stands

by Kaushik Rangarajan • Last updated on

An hour into the game, a melee broke out at the Carnegie stand with supporters throwing punches following a supposed provocation © AFP

Violence inside and outside the Headingley Stadium in Leeds made an unwelcome presence on Saturday (June 29) afternoon even as Pakistan kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive by edging out Afghanistan by three wickets.

At least two supporters were ejected from the ground and some arrests made outside when fighting in the stands spilled over into the streets outside the stadium. In ugly scenes just an hour into the game, supporters of the two teams clashed in the lower Carnegie Pavilion stands over alleged provocation from an aeroplane flying over the ground towing the message: "Justice for Balochistan".

Security staff inside the stadium sprung into action in the stands below the pavilion leading to the eviction of two fans. This resulted in a melee outside the ground as the two groups of fans clashed using steel barriers and sticks of flags as weapons.

The tension that had been building through the game in the stands then bubbled over during the tense finish as plastic chair and bottles were sent flying, waste bins emptied on the stands amidst the mass gesturing and abuse. When Imad Wasim hit the final runs, green flares went off and about 20 pitch invaders stormed onto the pitch. In the ensuing confusion, Mohammad Nabi was accidentally tackled by a security officer while other players hared back into the safety of the dressing rooms.

The unrest around St. Michael's Lane and Cardigan Road, where the stadium is located, had begun as early as 9am on the match day, an hour and a half before the start, when fans of both teams pored through the turnstiles at the stadium. Some ticketless among them even attempted to jump over the fences or evade security, leading to confusion.

In a statement, the International Cricket Council announced early in the day that it would take appropriate action against anti-social behaviour. "We are aware of some scuffles among a minority of fans and are currently working with the venue security team and the local police force, West Yorkshire Police, to ensure there are no further incidents," an ICC spokesperson said after the first incident in the stands.

"We do not condone this type of behaviour, and will take appropriate action against any anti-social behaviour that spoils the enjoyment for the majority of fans."

The nasty incidents and the security lapse brought to light the possibility that the operating authorities underestimated the needle between the two teams, owing to the strained geo-political equation between the two countries. These tensions spilled over to the cricket field because of Afghanistan's delicate cricketing history with their neighbours.

Many of their current cricketers picked up the sport in refugee camps around Peshawar. But over time with the political diplomacy worsening between Kabul and Islamabad, Afghanistan allied themselves with BCCI, shifting their base to India, where they've played their two Test matches so far.

The previous contest between the two teams, in the 2018 Asia Cup at Abu Dhabi had seen tempers flare and three players sanctioned for breaches of code of conduct. This World Cup game, however, was played in good spirits in the ground. When questioned, both Imad Wasim and Gulbadin Naib said they weren't aware of the problems in the stands although the former urged the fans to stop fighting because they were all Muslims, and therefore brothers.

Naib requested spectators to cutout sports from politics. "We want a friendship and we were excited to play this kind of tournament and this kind of match with anyone. This is only a cricket game, just watch like a cricket game. It's a sport. I'm just playing for my country, cricket and nothing else. I request to all watching matches, please just watch like a sport," he said.

In their official statement, Pakistan's Foreign office stated, "The flying of anti-Pakistan banners, unruly conduct of a certain group of spectators toward Pakistan team players, and scuffles during the Pakistan-Afghanistan World Cup cricket match are a matter of deep concern. Use of sports venues for such malicious propaganda is unacceptable. We expect all relevant authorities, both sports and law enforcement, to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring those responsible to account. The matter is also being taken up through diplomatic channels."

© Cricbuzz

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