Mar 28 2005

Spurs soccer star Frederic Kanoute and his Mali team-mates were under guard after fans threatened to kill him during a pitch invasion and riot which halted an African World Cup qualifying match.

Raging fans invaded the field and stopped the match between Togo and host Mali, then went on a rioting and looting spree in Bamako.

Togo led 2-1 when the game was stopped in second-half injury time.

The home fans at the packed 70,000-seat March 26 Stadium became furious when Kader Koubadia scored what appeared to be a winning goal.

Police fired tear gas at dozens of angry fans who ran on to the field after the goal, and state television immediately cut its live transmission. Dozens of people passed out after inhaling the gas.

Fans joined residents to continue rioting in the city, with thousands descending on the capital's main African Unity Avenue and screaming for the heads of Mali's top soccer players.

"Give us Frederic Kanoute and Mamadou Bakayoko!" they demanded. "We're going to kill them!" Bakayoko plays for the French team Nantes.

Presidential spokesman Seydou Sissouma said all the soccer players were "secured" under guard, although he would not say where. The visiting and home teams usually stay at specially-built Kabala Village, 27 miles south of Bamako.

"I understand the people's disappointment, but nothing justifies such acts," said Sissouma.

Protesters blocked a main road with flaming tyres, cutting off western Bamako, the so-called Left Bank, from the eastern half of the city. They smashed car windows, and forced shops to hastily put down metal shutters. Those without that protection shut off their lights.