Ivory Coast crew in Dakar is safe, says Senegal Interior minister

Mahmoud Elassal, Sunday 14 Oct 2012

There were no serious injuries in Senegal vs. Ivory Coast game in the CAN 2013 qualifiers, says Senegalese interior minister

Senegal
Senegalese security forces, front, try to both protect and corral Ivory Coast soccer fans as they take shelter on the playing field along with the two teams, after Senegal fans rioted causing the team's African Cup of Nations qualifier to be suspended, at Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Senegal (Photo: AP)

Senegalese Interior Minister Mbaye Ndiaye announced Sunday that there are no serious injuries in the fans' riot to the pitch during their national team game against Ivory Coast in the final qualifier of the 2013 African Cup of Nations on Saturday.

''We checked people in the ground of Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire game and we found that there were no serious injuries. We thank God for saving people," the interior minister was quoted as saying on Senegalese public television.

The Senegal and Ivory Coast showdown in the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifiers was called off after 70 minutes when the home fans started to hurl firecrackers at their own players and visiting fans, forcing the two sides and coaching staffs to take refuge in the centre circle.

The interior minister also confirmed that Senegalese Minister of Sports El Hadji Malick Gackous was injured on his head but he is fine now and managed the situation.

"The situation is calm and the Ivorian crew in Dakar is located in a safe place,'' he added.

The minister revealed his refuse to what happened in the stadium as all Senegalese people also refuse it.

''Senegal is a country of peace and fair play." "Nobody can expect what happened during the game.'' he said.

''What we want is that Ivorians feel at home here in Senegal,'' the Minister of Interior concluded.

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