A football semifinal at the 35th National Games in Karachi descended into chaos when Pakistan Army and WAPDA players got into a physical altercation, turning the KPT Sports Complex into a battlefield-like scene.
The incident unfolded immediately after the final whistle of the semifinal match. As soon as the game ended, Army players began celebrating their victory directly in front of the WAPDA bench in an aggressive manner.
The display provoked the opposing side, leading to heated arguments that quickly escalated into shoving and punching.
The confrontation intensified when WAPDA’s player, Shaik Dost, ran in and kicked an Army player, triggering an even larger fight. During the brawl, several WAPDA players rushed toward the referee, furious over a disputed decision made during the match.
Sensing danger, the referee attempted to take shelter inside the officials’ room, but some players forced their way in and allegedly assaulted him as well.
Match officials and the Commissioner are now preparing a detailed report of the incident to submit to the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the Football Federation. Based on the severity of the violence, disciplinary action against players from both teams is considered highly likely.
The 35th National Games are currently underway in Karachi, having officially kicked off on December 6. The week-long multi-sport event will run until December 13, featuring 32 different disciplines spread across more than 20 venues in the city.