Referee decisions, including the dismissal of two players from the same team with red cards and a penalty awarded against them, reportedly sparked the violence.
Local media reported that around 100 people were killed in violent clashes during a football match in Guinea on Sunday.
Violence broke out during a match between the football teams of Labe and Nzerekore in Nzerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city.
While the exact death toll remains unclear, local hospital sources reported “dozens of deaths.” A doctor at the scene estimated the death toll to be “around 100.”
Guinean Prime Minister Bah Oury condemned the violence in a statement on X (formerly Twitter):
“The government is saddened by the events that occurred this afternoon during the football match between the Labe and Nzerekore teams in Nzerekore.”
He added, “The government is closely monitoring the situation and reiterates its call for calm to ensure that hospital services can provide emergency aid to the injured.”
The Prime Minister assured the public that further information would be shared as it becomes available.
Reports indicate that the violence was triggered by referee decisions, including two red cards for Labe players and a penalty awarded against the same team.
The match was part of a tournament held to honor Guinea’s military leader, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who came to power in 2021.
Nzerekore, a city with a population of about 200,000, is located 570 kilometers (354 miles) southeast of the capital, Conakry.
