Afghan police fired shots this afternoon as angry mobs fought international soldiers and police outside Kabul's football stadium ahead of a match between Kabul United and a team of foreign soldiers.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) spokesman Maj Neal Peckham said Afghan police fired over the heads of the crowd and kicked and lashed out at stone-throwing fans trying to get into the already full stadium. "Local police fired 12 to 15 shots over the heads of the crowd," he said.
Three soldiers suffered minor cuts to the face while an unknown number of Afghans were hurt, he said.
About 600 ISAF soldiers were deployed to keep order, 300 outside the stadium and an equal number inside where around 25,000 fans packed the ground.
Witnesses said some 15,000 fans were trying to get into the stadium for an historic match between the de-facto national side and an ISAF team.
The violence erupted as fans tried to force their way into the stadium past ISAF soldiers in riot gear, with stick-wielding Afghan police beating fans back from the stadium's six entrances.
Police also turned fire extinguishers on the crowd, and riot police reinforcements were brought in.
For the match, the 20-player ISAF squad - made up of 12 British soldiers, two Frenchmen and soldiers from Italy, Germany, Spain, Denmark and The Netherlands - had been favourites to win.
With former Tottenham Hotspur skipper Gary Mabbutt and former England coach and Southampton manager Lawrie McMenemy watching from the bench, Kabul United took the lead in the 15th minute when Sayed Tahir cracked in a stunning volley from the edge of the box.
ISAF fought their way back into the match, with a prolonged period of possession leading to the equaliser in the 34th minute when Italian striker Giacomo Ligouri scored from close range to equalise. ISAF sealed victory with goals in the 74th and 76th minutes. AFP