Osaka police: Foreign soccer fans assaulted convenience store employees

OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police believe foreign soccer fans were behind the theft and assault that took place at a convenience store in Chuo Ward on Wednesday night, reports TBS News (Dec. 17).

Two male employees attempted to stop the suspects but the thieves were then joined by a mob of more than 10 people who proceeded to beat and kick the employees. The group then fled the scene. The employees received minor injuries.

According to an eyewitness, roughly 20 people participated in the beating. “It became something like a riot,” the person said.

“They were foreigners from South America,” one of the employees is quoted by police.

Police believe that the suspects are fans of Argentina’s River Plate soccer team. The night before, the team beat Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima by a score of 1-0 at Osaka’s Nagai Stadium to advance to the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Japan tournament. Fans of the club had gathered in the Dotonbori