ALGIERS, Algeria, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A member of Algeria's soccer team was killed Saturday during a match when he was reportedly struck in the head with a piece of concrete by angry fans.
Albert Ebosse, 24, suffered a fatal head injury after his Algeria club team JS Kabylie lost 2-1 to USM Alger in Tizi Ouzou, east of Algiers. As the team made its way to the locker room, they were pelted with projectiles thrown apparently by fans angered about the team's loss. JS Kabylie released a statement that Ebosse "succumbed to a head injury" shortly after the incident.
Algeria's Ministry of Interior has launched an investigation.
In response to the deadly violence, the Algerian Football Team suspended its soccer league indefinitely "in protest of the irresponsible actions of certain fanatics and hooligans who resort to violence in the stadiums which has reached an unacceptable level." Algeria also moved to close all stadiums in the country.
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The Confederation of African Football echoed outrage over the circumstances of Saturday's attack.
"African football cannot be the breeding ground for hooliganism whatsoever. We expect exemplary sanctions to be taken against this grave act of violence.
Advertisement"Violence has no place in African football in particular and sports in general. We remain resolute and state in the strongest terms our determination to eradicate all forms of violence and unsportsmanlike conduct in stadiums on the continent."
Ebosse, a Cameroonian, was a top scorer for the Algerian league and scored 17 goals last season. He previously played for Cameroon and had traveled to Malaysia with hopes of playing for a European team.
CAF President Issa Hayatou extended his condolences to the soccer player's family and friends, describing Ebosse as a "young man who enjoyed his job peacefully and went further to pursue his passion for football abroad."
