Thirty-one supporters of Esperance de Tunis have been detained after violent incidents in the Tunisian capital during the quarter-final of the African Champions League between this Tunisian club and the Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie, Algeria, according to judicial sources.
On Saturday, violent incidents including a fire had caused the interruption for more than 30 minutes of this match at the Olympic stadium of Radès, in the southern suburbs of Tunis. A judicial investigation has been opened into the circumstances and responsibilities in the violence, Omar Hnaide, spokesman for the Ben Arous Court of First Instance (near Tunis), told local media on Thursday.
A supporter with a chainsaw
Arrest warrants have already been issued for 31 EST supporters, the spokesman said, adding that 27 others who are also under investigation have been released. The supporters are being prosecuted for "criminal association to attack property and people and for assaulting" public officials in the performance of their duties, local media reported Thursday.
A video showing a fan wielding a chainsaw inside the stadium was also widely shared on social media. The match was able to resume after about thirty minutes of interruption, in front of practically empty stands on the side of Esperance.
- Football
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- Violence