Fans of the Cambodian team hold signs reading the score they expect: 10 for Cambodian, 0 for Brunei. However, the final score was only a 2-0 win by Cambodia (Photo: Sam-Aun, Koh Santepheap newspaper)Aug 27, 2007
DPA
Phnom Penh - Cambodian authorities said Monday they have stepped up security ahead of Monday's scheduled football match against Malaysia's Under-17 side, after a brief outbreak of violence following Cambodia's victory over Brunei.
Cambodia is hosting the Association of South-east Asian Nations Football Federation's Under-17 championship, which features teams including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Cambodian team scored a strong 2-0 victory over Brunei on Saturday night, but a small section of the crowd who had apparently bet on a wider winning margin were not satisfied and police estimate that up to 200 people rioted, smashing bus and car windows and throwing bottles.
The rowdy crowd was quickly subdued after at least one shot was fired in the air by police deployed as security for the game.
Cambodian football authorities denied allegations that they deliberately held back the winning margin, admitting that the team had saved itself for the match against Malaysia but that goal-scoring attempts were kept to a minimum by the defensive tactics of the Brunei side.
'We will have extra men on alert at the game tonight to ensure the same problem does not happen again,' a police source who declined to be named said Monday.
Football betting is legal in Cambodia, although a massive illegal bookmaking network also continues to operate. The practice is so widespread it has been blamed on skyrocketing crime rates after major tournaments such as the World Cup, when losers turn to desperate measures to try to recoup sometimes huge losses.
Cambodia is hosting the Association of South-east Asian Nations Football Federation's Under-17 championship, which features teams including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Cambodian team scored a strong 2-0 victory over Brunei on Saturday night, but a small section of the crowd who had apparently bet on a wider winning margin were not satisfied and police estimate that up to 200 people rioted, smashing bus and car windows and throwing bottles.
The rowdy crowd was quickly subdued after at least one shot was fired in the air by police deployed as security for the game.
Cambodian football authorities denied allegations that they deliberately held back the winning margin, admitting that the team had saved itself for the match against Malaysia but that goal-scoring attempts were kept to a minimum by the defensive tactics of the Brunei side.
'We will have extra men on alert at the game tonight to ensure the same problem does not happen again,' a police source who declined to be named said Monday.
Football betting is legal in Cambodia, although a massive illegal bookmaking network also continues to operate. The practice is so widespread it has been blamed on skyrocketing crime rates after major tournaments such as the World Cup, when losers turn to desperate measures to try to recoup sometimes huge losses.
2 comments:
Cambodian people are paying for the crime while a few people are benefit from it. Only Cambodian government see it a wise idea.
What the fuck is the dude above me talking about? Are you high dude? It is football riot. I assume you're a faggot that has no love for football. This is nationalism. Maybe it is a bit out of control but still. We love football that's why we go nuts, u pussy ass faggots. Go Cambodia!
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