Iran´s assistant referee Shakour Heidar was injured on Sunday when Nepali fans hurled stones at him during the match, which Nepal lost 3-2 to Jordan. Heidar sustained head injuries and was immediately rushed to Blue Cross Nursing Home, Tripureshwar, where he received three stitches. Fourth official Saleem Ali of Maldives took charge of Heidar´s duty after he was rushed to the hospital.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, ANFA urged the viewers to maintain utmost discipline as insolent behavior of the viewers may prompt the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to slap a hefty fine to ANFA, carry out games without spectators or ban ANFA from organizing international and reputed games.
“Nepal´s reputation has increased for organizing the games successfully,” said ANFA´s Spokesperson and Vice-Chairman Lalit Krishna Shrestha, adding, “But the misbehavior of viewers will not only make us liable for punishment but also bring down our reputation in the international level. The role of viewers is very important to make the championship a success.”
AFC had fined US $7,000 to ANFA last month as viewers threw bottles, stones and coins on the football ground during the AFC Challenge Cup 2010 held earlier this year at the Dasharath Stadium. According to the rules of AFC, the respective country will be accountable for the misbehavior of the viewers.
Likewise, ANFA had to pay fine during Hong Kong pre-Olympic qualifiers in 1999 after Nepali spectators entered the ground and caused mayhem. During the Vietnam AFC U-16 Championship too, ANFA paid $10,000 for spectators´ unruly behavior.
During a meeting of match commissioner, referee assessor and the local host ANFA on Tuesday, the match commissioner and referee assessor gave a stern warning to ANFA to not let any such incident repeat in the match on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the three people arrested on suspicion of being involved in Sunday´s incident have been released by the Metropolitan Police Circle, Kalimati on Monday.
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