Zambia: Warning over use of teargas at football matches

By Francis Maingaila

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Football analysts are urging the Zambian government to equip the police with modern crowd control skills, including rules of engagement prioritizing public safety, not teargas, in the wake of a Wednesday match marred by the use of teargas.

"Teargas canisters are considered chemical weapons and are banned in many countries because they pose and are considered a health risk to humans," Steven Katuka told a press conference alongside other analysts Friday.

He said teargas is not the best option when dealing with a crowd of 70,000 crazed fans and a considerable overflow into the stadium peripherals.

The Wednesday quarter-final match against South Africa had to be stopped for several minutes after teargas fired by police at unruly fans outside the stadium drifted onto the pitch and stands. The match was attended by Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu.

According to the analysts, the incident could damage Zambia's image abroad and result in the country being banned from hosting major events.

He advised that going into the final game this Sunday, police must should put up a temporary perimeter fence to prevent soccer fans without tickets from coming near the stadium.