Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 01:
Even as Manipur sportsmen and sportswomen kept the flag flying high at the 33rd National Games winning 30 golds and securing the third spot, a shameful incident enveloped the Khuman Lampak Main stadium as IRB personnel had to open fire in the air to control football fans who suddenly turned violent and went berserk over a refereeing decision today.
The stake was obviously high for both RAU, Lairekyengbam Leikai and SWC, Khongman as the two teams took the field at 1.30 pm for the first semi final match of the Moirangthem Ibobi Memorial Second Division Football Tournament.
SWC had taken a comfortable 2-0 lead when the breather was sounded and until then no one had any inkling of the ugly turn of events that was to unfold.
However it did happen barely 7 minutes into the second session when SWC custodian Sorjeev's extended boot caught RAU forward Bijen in the tummy near the penalty box.
Bijen went down in a heap writhing in pain.
Referee Kulla wasted no time in flashing the yellow card and booked Sorjeev for a foul.
The referee also awarded a free kick to RAU.
However RAU players were perturbed with the decision of the referee and instead demanded that a penalty kick should be awarded as they contended that Bijen was brought down inside the 'D' box.
However the referee stuck to his stand and refused to abrogate his earlier decision.
At this the manager of RAU jumped into the fray and urged his players to discontinue the game.
RAU fans who had turned out in large droves also joined in the melee and demanded that the team leave the ground.
With each passing minute the spectators became more raucous and started hurling abuses at the referee.
After almost 20 minutes of noisy scene, RAU coach Maniroton intervened and urged his players to proceed with the game.
The free kick was taken but it went waste.
As soon as the long whistle was sounded police and IRB men leapt into action and started escorting the referee and linesmen to their rooms.
However some spectators crowded the match officials and started raining blows on the referee.
The referee received a blow just above his right eye.
Faced with no other option, IRB and police personnel opened around 5 rounds of fire in the air to quell the unruly crowd.
Some spectators were beaten up.
However no one was injured in the firing and beating.
The modest crowd which had come to witness the football match ran helter skelter as soon as the firing started.
The referee and the linesmen were escorted to their respective place by IRB personnel.
SWC which led by a margin of 2-0 margin in the first half added one more in the second session to enter the final.