A footballer from the Ivory Coast was chased and thrashed by spectators during a football tournament in Kerala's Malappuram district. He also alleged that the crowd had racially abused him.
Some of the spectators alleged that the footballer kicked one of them, which led to the incident.
In a video of the incident that has gone viral, the man, Dairrassouba Hassane Junior, wearing a blue t-shirt, is seen scampering on the ground in Areekode as a group of people chase him.
Eventually, the Ivory Coast footballer is caught and repeatedly thrashed by the people, the video shows.
A man wearing a white t-shirt is seen shielding the African man from the blows. The man in a white t-shirt is seen talking to the irate people and later, the footballer is seen leaving through a gate.
Hassane Junior filed a complaint with the police and recorded his statement.
In the complaint, the footballer alleged that his team got a corner kick and when he was about to take his position, the crowd racially abused him. He also alleged that the crowd threw stones at him.
The police were investigating the case.
Hassane Junior was representing the football club, Jawahar Mavoor, which was taking part in a Sevens football tournament. Sevens football is a renowned sports event in Malappuram with matches held in packed local stadiums.
Source: India Today