Riot stops play as Côte d'Ivoire beats Senegal in CAN qualifier

“Ten minutes before the end of the match, as soon as the result seemed to be decided, masses of spectators started to leave the stadium,” reports RFI’s Farid Achache. “Senegalese flags were burnt in the stands and, as a security measure, the referee stopped the game.”

Dossier: Africa Cup of Nations 2012

Supporters responded by throwing projectiles and a fire broke out. Côte d’Ivoire fans had to take refuge on the pitch to escape the home fans.

Police used tear gas and drove a vehicle onto the pitch to rescue officials.

The violence was sparked by a second goal by Ivorian attacker Didier Drogba, which left Senegal two-nil down.

Senegal is likely to be punished for the behaviour of its fans and, in any case, will not be going to the Cup of Nations in South Africa from 19 January to 10 February, but the African Foootball Confederation’s headquarters in Cairo was closed on Sunday.

Also on Saturday, Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and title-holders Zambia qualified.

How a football match erupted in violence

Côte d'Ivoire's midfielder Yaya Toure (2nd R) fights for the ball against Senegal's Mohamed Diame (L) at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar Reuters/Mamadou Gomis Senegalese football fans light fires at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar Reuters/Mamadou Gomis Fans of Cote d'Ivoire's team help other fans escape the violence. Reuters/Mamadou Gomis Fans of Côte d'Ivoire's national football team help other fans escape the violence in the upper tiers of Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar Reuters/Mamadou Gomis Senegalese football fans throw rocks at the police at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar Reuters/Mamadou Gomis Police officers run with shields as Senegalese football fans throw rocks at them at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar Reuters/Mamadou Gomis Fans of Côte d'Ivoire's national soccer team form a ring around each other for safety on the pitch at Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium in Dakar Reuters/Mamadou Gomis Senegal's Papiss Demba Cisse (C) and Pape Souare (L), and Côte d'Ivoire's striker Didier Drogba (4th L) leave stadium Reuters/Mamadou Gomis