Man killed in Cumilla over Argentina-Egypt World Cup match clash

A 35-year-old man was killed following a clash between football supporters in Cumilla on Tuesday night over the Argentina-Egypt FIFA World Cup match.

The incident occurred at around 11:00pm in Dhanpur area of Durgapur Union under Adarsha Sadar Upazila. Police said drives are underway to arrest those involved.

The deceased was identified as Md Shariful Islam, son of Matiur Rahman of Uttar Cheranga village in Jaldhaka Upazila of Nilphamari. He had been living in a rented house in the Mathpushkarini area of Ward No. 23 in Cumilla city.

Shankar Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of the Cumilla Cantonment Nazira Bazar Police Outpost, told media that an argument broke out among supporters while they were watching the Argentina-Egypt World Cup match at a tea stall on Tuesday night. The altercation later escalated into a violent clash.

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According to police, tensions flared after Argentina captain Lionel Messi missed a penalty during the match. It is alleged that two local men, identified as Babu and Main Uddin Malu, who were known as Argentina supporters, struck Shariful Islam on the head.

Locals rescued the critically injured Shariful and took him to Cumilla Medical College Hospital, where the attending physician declared him dead.

Police later visited the scene, prepared an inquest report and sent the body to the hospital morgue for an autopsy.

Local resident Abdul Hannan said such a tragic incident over a trivial dispute related to a football match was unacceptable. He demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and exemplary punishment.

Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Anwar of Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station said efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved, adding that legal proceedings are underway.

As of the latest information available, no arrests had been made and no murder case had yet been filed in connection with the incident.