Brawl erupts among fans at Newroz-Zakho football match

SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan,— Clashes broke out between supporters of Newroz Sports Club from Sulaimani and Zakho Sports Club from Duhok during an Iraq Stars League football (soccer) match on Tuesday, resulting in multiple injuries and disrupting the game, according to reports.

The game, played at Newroz’s home ground in Sulaimani city. With the score still 0-0 near the final whistle, tensions among fans escalated. Spectators rushed the field, sparking violent altercations among rival supporters and even involving some players.

While no official injury toll was immediately released, some reports suggested that dozens of individuals were hurt in the chaos.

Footage shared on social media appeared to show plastic chairs being thrown from the stands, and at least one fan seen unconscious after sustaining a head injury.

Medics on-site transported several wounded fans—some visibly bleeding—to local hospitals for treatment. The identities and conditions of the injured have not yet been made public.

According to one Zakho SC supporter interviewed by Rudaw TV, the unrest began after a penalty was awarded late in the match. He said his eight-month-old daughter briefly went missing during the commotion but was later found. “My leg is injured, and my whole body hurts,” he told reporters.

Another eyewitness claimed the disorder started when a potential goal by Zakho was ruled offside. “After the assistant referee raised his flag, angry fans started throwing bottles at him,” the fan said.

The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Interior issued a statement confirming the unrest and said an investigative team will visit the site Wednesday. Security personnel restored order shortly after the incident, and no players were seriously harmed.

Officials urged the public and media to promote sportsmanship and avoid inflammatory reporting, emphasizing unity as a key principle of athletic competition.

Newroz SC had been seeking its first win in three matches, while Zakho SC was looking to rebound from back-to-back losses in Matchweek 29 of the league.

(With files from Agencies)