Sunday, August 18, 2019
By MARLON GONZÁLEZ and FREDDY CUEVAS Associated Press
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — A fight between fans of rival soccer teams Motagua and Olimpia at the National Stadium in Honduras' capital left four people dead and led to the suspension of the game.
The violence began when fans of the Olimpia team threw stones Saturday evening at a bus carrying Motagua players to the stadium, breaking windows and injuring three players. Former Celtic player Emilio Izaguirre, a Honduran national, sustained a cut near an eye. Paraguayan Roberto Moreira and Argentine Jonathan Rougier were also injured.
The National League and police then suspended the game.
A fight broke out between fans of the teams, with fists flying and gunfire heard. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, which took their fight inside the stadium as well.
Hospital spokeswoman Juliette Chavarría said three spectators died Saturday, and a fourth died on Sunday. Four of the injured have been released from hospital, while three more are in stable condition, she said.
Police spokesman Jair Meza said police arrested a suspect with guns who allegedly participated in the fight.
The stadium will be closed until further notice. The National League did not set a new date for the game to be played.
"We regret these situations and I call on the fans of Olimpia and other teams in the National League to avoid performing these acts which damage soccer," said Olimpia president Rafael Villeda.
Fans of Motagua and Olimpia have engaged in deadly clashes in the past.