Feb 22 β€’ 18:11 UTC πŸ‡ΆπŸ‡¦ Qatar Al Jazeera

Watch.. Angry fans assault the referee after a last-minute goal

Angry fans attacked the referee after a tense match in Eswatini, where a last-minute goal prompted chaos among the spectators.

Violence erupted during a Round of 16 match in the 'Ingweniyama' Cup in Eswatini between Mbabane Highlanders and Nsingizini Hotspurs after the latter scored a dramatic goal in the third minute of injury time. The match, which ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of Nsingizini Hotspurs, saw a group of Highlanders fans rush onto the field in a frenzy, targeting the referee in their anger. This incident highlights the increasing tensions and emotions that can arise during local sports events.

Videos captured the chaotic scenes as the angry fans chased the referee onto the pitch, leading to a significant disruption of the match and creating a dangerous atmosphere. Security forces were deployed to restore order and ensure the safety of the referee while attempting to remove the unruly fans from the field back into the stands, yet no official statements have been made by the Eswatini Football Association regarding potential penalties or repercussions for these violent actions.

The incident raises questions about spectator behavior in sports and the importance of maintaining order in sporting events, particularly in regions where tensions may already be heightened. The swift response of the security personnel may prevent further escalation, but without official commentary from the football governing body, concerns about crowd control and fan safety remain paramount as future matches are considered.

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