Man killed in Cumilla after Argentina vs Egypt match dispute turns violent

A 35-year-old man was killed after a dispute between football supporters watching the Argentina vs Egypt World Cup match turned violent in Cumilla's Adarsha Sadar upazila on Tuesday night, police said.

The incident occurred at around 11pm in the Dhanpur area of Durgapur Union.

Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Model Police Station Touhidul Anwar confirmed the incident.

The deceased was identified as Md Shariful Islam, 35, son of Matiur Rahman of Uttar Cheranga village in Jaldhaka upazila of Nilphamari. He had been living in a rented house in the Mothpuskorni area of Ward No. 23 in Cumilla city.

Sub-Inspector Shankar Kanti Das of the Cantonment Police Outpost under Kotwali Model Police Station said Shariful, a Brazil supporter, celebrated after Argentina conceded the opening goal during the match and allegedly mocked Argentina supporters, triggering tensions between the two groups.

According to the police officer, several Argentina supporters later attacked and assaulted Shariful.

Shariful became critically ill during the assault and was taken by local people to Cumilla Medical College Hospital, where the attending doctor declared him dead.

Local residents said the altercation began while supporters were watching the Argentina vs Egypt World Cup match at a tea stall before escalating into a clash. They alleged that tensions intensified after Argentina captain Lionel Messi missed a penalty during the match.

They further alleged that two local Argentina supporters, identified as Babu and Main Uddin Malu, struck Shariful on the head.

Police visited the scene, prepared an inquest report and sent the body to the hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination.

Shariful worked as an autorickshaw driver. Police initially believe he died from severe internal head injuries.

OC Touhidul Anwar said no case had yet been filed over the incident.

"Operations are underway to arrest those involved," he said.