Senegal-ICoast qualifier suspended after fans riot

By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Ivory Coast players and fans were escorted by police out of Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium after Senegal fans rioted over their team losing the African Cup of Nations qualifying match, which was suspended on Saturday.

Didier Drogba had just scored his second goal from the penalty spot for Ivory Coast to lead the second-leg match 2-0, and 6-2 on aggregate, when violence erupted.

A fan ran onto the pitch heading for Drogba before his kick and was stopped, and after the goal Senegalese supporters began lighting fires in the stands, causing a haze of smoke over the stadium. The Senegalese Press Agency reported one of the match officials was hit by a projectile.

Senegal fans were attacking Ivorian supporters and police fired tear gas into the stands.

Dozens of Ivorian fans were encouraged to evacuate onto the field, where both teams congregated in the middle.

The match was suspended in the 76th minute and abandoned 45 minutes later.

Cars were driven onto the field to take away Ivorian fans, to try and prevent them from being attacked by angry Senegalese, and the Ivory Coast team was hustled out by police holding shields.

Updated October 13, 2012