Football match turns tragic: 100 tives lost after referee’s call provokes anger

Conakry (Guinea) – A football match in Guinea's second-largest city, N'Zerekore, turned into a tragic event on Sunday when a clash broke out between fans, resulting in the death of 100 people. Many others were injured during the violence. The incident was reportedly sparked by a controversial decision made by the referee, which fans strongly disagreed with. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the violence escalated when the mob set fire to the N'Zerekore Police Station, and a state of emergency was declared in the city. Hospitals were overwhelmed, with one doctor describing the scene as being filled with dead bodies as far as the eye could see. The match was part of a tournament held to honor Guinean President Mamadi Dombouya, who came to power in a 2021 coup. The tournament is seen as part of his outreach efforts ahead of next year's presidential election.