African footballer abused, beaten up during club match in Kerala

KOZHIKODE/KOCHI: It was the ugly side of the beautiful game that came to fore in Malappuram, known for love and passion for soccer, on Sunday. A 22-year-old Ivory Coast footballer was chased and beaten up by a group of people, and racially abused, during a five-a-side match at Chemrakattur in the district.

The incident came to light after a video of the assault went viral, following which the footballer - Diarrassouba Hassane Junior, hailing from Adjane in Ivory Coast - lodged a complaint with Malappuram district police chief. In his complaint, Hassane said a group of spectators called him "f****ng African monkey" and "Black Cat", and stoned him when he was playing for local club Newlala Pookolathur. He was also beaten up by people belonging to the opposite team management and their supporters around 6pm on Sunday, it said.