20 injured, including UNO, as Cox’s Bazar DC Gold Cup final descends into chaos

At least 20 people, including Cox's Bazar Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nilufa Yasmin, were injured today (12 September) when the final of the Cox's Bazar DC Gold Cup Football Tournament 2025 was abandoned after spectators went on a rampage.

Witnesses said bricks and stones were hurled as panic swept through the Bir Shrestha Ruhul Amin Stadium, where the main building, galleries and press box were vandalised.

Spectators alleged that organisers sold nearly six times the stadium's 5,000-seat capacity and charged inflated prices. Tickets meant to cost Tk50 were reportedly sold for Tk200–1,500. With no space left to sit, tempers flared.

The tournament, which began on 1 September, was set to conclude with the final between Ramu and Teknaf upazila teams at 3pm. Fans started arriving from 7am to buy tickets, but by around 2:30pm, frustrated spectators broke through the gates and flooded the pitch, making play impossible.

Organisers, police and army personnel tried repeatedly to control the situation but failed. Some spectators outside the venue began smashing property.

Law enforcers finally cleared the field around 5:15pm with a baton charge. But as preparations were made to restart the match, fresh violence erupted. Crowds inside and outside jointly stormed the galleries, field and press box, again hurling bricks and smashing structures.

UNO Nilufa Yasmin was among the injured. Cox's Bazar District Hospital officials confirmed treating 15 people.

Parts of the stadium were seen on fire as law enforcement continued efforts to bring the situation under control. Organisers and district officials were not immediately available for comment