BEIJING, June 10: Several thousand football fans went on the rampage in southeastern China after a big screen television that was due to show the China-Brazil World Cup match broke down, a Beijing-based web site reported.
No one was hurt in Saturday’s rioting in Fuzhou, Fujian province, which the web site, photocome.com, said was led by a “small group of lawbreakers.”
Pictures of police cars overturned by angry fans and damage to city buses, telephone booths and road signs were posted on the web site on Sunday but had been removed by Monday.
“We took down photos of the incident so as not to have any problems,” said an employee of photocome.com who asked to remain anonymous.
The web site said trouble erupted after the giant outdoor TV screen which was to show the Brazil-China match in May 1st Square in Fuzhou broke down.
Some 100 anti-riot policemen restored order, but one of the city’s main streets was reportedly blocked for some five hours by angry fans.
Brazil won the match 4-0, ensuring China’s early elimination from the tournament.
The disturbance in Fuzhou was the only incident reported in China so far linked to their first appearance at the World Cup. Russian fans went on the rampage in Moscow on Sunday after Russia’s 1-0 loss to Japan.
China’s official press has been philosophical about the team’s performance in South Korea, stressing it was the country’s first-ever appearance on such a stage and a valuable experience.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has intensified a crackdown on illegal gambling on World Cup football, detaining more than 100 suspected bookies and busting a hi-tech illegal betting centre, police said Monday.
In Kuala Lumpur, capital of football-crazy Malaysia, police hauled in 86 suspects, including 11 foreigners, for handling bets worth 12.5 million ringgit (3.29 million dollars) from as far afield as China and Hong Kong, a spokesman told AFP.
In southern Johor state, 17 people were arrested on Friday for operating a gambling den believed to be taking in up to 10 million ringgit ($2.6m) in bets daily from around the country and neighbouring Singapore.
The police spokesman said more arrests were imminent in view of information received from the detained suspects.
All gambling on football is illegal in Malaysia.
In January, police detained seven men, including two Britons and three from Hong Kong, suspected of taking about 4.8 million ringgit in football bets.—AFP