Ivory Coast's footballers were praised for their cool-headedness on Sunday after they were targeted by stones, bottles and chairs hurled by angry Senegal fans during an Africa Cup of Nations match.
Saturday's game at Stade Leopold Sedar was abandoned after Ivory Coast had taken a 2-0 lead on the night for a 6-2 aggregate in a qualifier for the 2013 finals in South Africa.
As fires were set in the stands and missiles rained down, the players as well as some 300 visiting fans, were forced to take refuge in the centre circle as the security forces used tear gas on rioting fans.
"It's a shame, it's regrettable," said Mbaye Ndiaye, the Senegal interior minister.
"But we say bravo to the Ivory Coast team for their achievement, their behaviour, wisdom and sense of fair play."
Source: AFP
