Dissatisfaction with Referee Decisions... Dozens Dead in Violent Incident at Guinea Football Stadium

Due to the referee's questionable decision, spectators clashed among themselves
At least dozens dead in fan protests against the ruling

During a football match held in Guinea, West Africa, clashes among fans resulted in the deaths of over 100 people, according to media reports.

On the 1st (local time), foreign media including AFP reported, citing hospital sources, that at least dozens of people died in clashes among fans protesting a referee's decision during a football match held in Nz?r?kor?, the second largest city in Guinea. One doctor said, "About 100 people have died." Another doctor said that corpses are piling up in local hospitals and morgues. In particular, he told AFP, "There are rows of corpses in the hospital. Corpses are lying on the floor of the corridors, and the morgue is full."

An incident occurred in Guinea, Africa, where dozens of people died after spectators clashed in protest against a referee's decision during a soccer match. X (X)

The scene of the clashes was also posted on social media. Videos posted on social media show chaotic scenes on the streets outside the stadium and numerous corpses lying disorderly on the ground. A witness said, "Everything started with a controversial referee decision. After that, fans stormed into the stadium."

The football match was part of a tournament named after Mamadi Doumbouya, the interim president who seized power in a coup in September 2021. AFP explained, "These matches are being held as Doumbouya’s potential presidential candidacy and political alliances are forming." Previously, in Guinea, President Alpha Cond?, who succeeded in securing a third term through a forced constitutional amendment, was ousted in a military coup in September 2021, and a military government led by Colonel (then) Mamadi Doumbouya took power. At that time, the majority of the public as well as the opposition accepted the coup, opposing Cond?’s long-term rule since he was elected as the first democratically elected president in 2010. However, opposition has continued as the military government banned all protests for three years in May 2022 and delayed the transfer to civilian rule.

Initially, the military government proposed a three-year transitional period until the transfer to civilian rule, but due to opposition from domestic groups and the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), it shortened this to two years around October 2022. However, pressure on the opposition and the media continues. In particular, in February of this year, Guinea’s military government dissolved the government led by Prime Minister Bernard Goumou. At that time, Colonel Kamara, the spokesperson for the military government, did not specify the reason for the dissolution but added, "Until a new government is formed, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and other cabinet officials will handle the daily affairs of the government."