Pakistan

FO concerned over anti-Pakistan banners, scuffles during Afghanistan match

Certain faction of Afghan supporters clashed with Pakistani fans during the World Cup match

News Desk June 30, 2019

A security official stops a pitch invader after the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on June 29, 2019. PHOTO: AFP

Islamabad has condemned the unruly conduct of certain group of spectators during the Pakistan-Afghanistan World Cup cricket match.

“The flying of anti-Pakistan banners, unruly conduct of certain group of spectators toward Pakistan team players, and scuffles during the Pakistan-Afghanistan World Cup cricket match are a matter of deep concern,” said a foreign office statement issued on Sunday.

Pakistan and Afghanistan fans clashed on Saturday in Leeds during the cricket match and a certain faction of Afghanistan supporters clashed with Pakistan fans and security officials and hurled abuses — both inside and outside the stadium.

https://twitter.com/anussaeed1/status/1144923425707843595

The official statement slammed the use of sports venues for such malicious propaganda and called for all relevant authorities including sports and law enforcement to thoroughly probe the matter and take the culprits to the task.

In pictures: Pakistan's last-over victory against Afghanistan

The matter is also being taken up through diplomatic channels, it added.

According to the reports Afghanistan fans also harassed a Pakistani journalist outside the stadium, although he remained safe during the incident.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said it will take action against any fans involved in 'scuffles' before the Cricket World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

COMMENTS (2)

Rex | 5 years ago | Reply Why is Pakistan so weak that it's Foreign Office has to take notice of such low level and insignificant clashes by supporters of a certain sport?

Iralan | 5 years ago | Reply Afghan supporters fighting and hurling abuse is only promoted by India and only in some factions . The unruly behavior is that if Hindustan not Afghanistan. No true Pashtun will do anything to harm Pakistan but Persian afghan faction you bet are hostage to Hindu thinking. Better to scold the icc and local management to stop this kind of stuff period .

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