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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Aaron Flanagan

Afghanistan and Pakistan cricket fans in violent clashes outside World Cup stadium

Police were forced to calm violent clashes outside a Cricket World Cup match.

Fans of Afghanistan and Pakistan clashed at Headingley Stadium in Leeds on Saturday while the two teams were playing their group stage match.

Video footage shared on social media shows fans trying to break down a security gate, while there are further allegations of fans throwing bottles at members of the security team who were manning the area.

Another video shows a fight involving multiple people, with a steel barrier being hoisted in the air.

A man can also be seen on the floor, while punches and kicks are thrown.

A steel barrier was hoisted up in the air during the altercations (https://twitter.com/DSBcricket/status/1144932275433431040)

Onlookers sought to calm the clashes down, with numerous members of the contingent being pulled away from the scene.

West Yorkshire Police attended the incident following calls of disturbance just before midday.

No arrests or injuries were reported as officers ensured that the trouble dispersed.

The area is said to be clearing steadily and there was no hostility towards police officers attending the scene.

Officers remain patrolling the area.

It is believed that the violent scenes began after at least two supporters of Afghanistan were evicted from the stadium by security personnel for not having tickets.

Fans are alleged to have been seen jumping the boundary wall of the stadium to gain access.

Minor clashes are believed to have taken place in the Carnegie Pavilion Stand before the evictions.

However, it is claimed elsewhere that a fight broke out inside the stadium between the two sets of fans after an unauthorised plane was flown over the stadium with a political message.

It is believed the slogan of "Justice for Balochistan" was visible to supporters.

Balochistan is the largest province in Pakistan and borders Afghanistan to the north.

Asian News International report that Leeds air traffic authorities are investigating.

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