FIFA World Cup playing in America, frenzy and clashes leave 12 dead in Bangladesh
Arguments among supporters, heated exchanges on social media, disputes over hanging team flags, and conflicts surrounding public screenings of FIFA World Cup matches have so far claimed at least 12 lives across Bangladesh. Although the tournament is being held nearly 12,000 kilometers away in the United States, more than 100 people have also been injured in football-related incidents in the country.
Among the victims, three died from electrocution while putting up national team flags, three were stabbed to death, while the remaining victims lost their lives in road accidents, a falling lamp post, a stroke, and various clashes linked to World Cup celebrations.
The latest fatal incidents occurred on Tuesday (July 7). In Cumilla's Adarsha Sadar upazila, 32-year-old Egypt supporter Shariful Islam was beaten to death following an altercation over the Argentina–Egypt match. On the same night, after Argentina's dramatic victory over Egypt, van driver Rasul Uddin died in Jhenaidah while celebrating the win with excessive excitement.
On July 1, three separate incidents in Dhaka's Adabor, Sylhet's Zakiganj, and Ashulia claimed three more lives. In Adabor, BNP leader Abul Bashar Badsha was killed during a clash that erupted after an argument over blowing whistles while watching a World Cup match.
In Zakiganj, Alam Ahmad was stabbed to death by his cousin during a dispute over football celebrations. In Ashulia, teenager Nahid Hasan was stabbed to death and buried following an argument over a football match. Last Friday, in Narail Sadar, an elderly man named Mostafa Kazi was hacked and beaten to death with a hammer after a dispute among teenagers over a football game.
Meanwhile, three people died from electrocution while attempting to hang World Cup flags. On June 19, schoolboy Mahin Sheikh was electrocuted while putting up a Brazil flag in Gafargaon, Mymensingh. On June 15, Ramhari Baishnab died while hanging an Argentina flag in Chattogram. Earlier, on June 9, a young man named Faisal was electrocuted while installing a Brazil flag in Manikganj Sadar.
On June 13, a young man was killed in a motorcycle accident while participating in a World Cup rally in Bhola. Last Friday, Mahidul Islam died after a lamp post collapsed on him in Halishahar, Chattogram. On the same day, Khokon Karmakar suffered a fatal stroke while practicing for a football match in Taltali, Barguna.
The alarming situation has raised concerns among law enforcement officials. Tangail Superintendent of Police (SP) Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar said football should remain a source of entertainment and should not be taken to dangerous extremes. He urged members of civil society to help raise awareness among those who become excessively involved in such rivalries.