Man Utd fan dies after ‘scuffle’ with Arsenal supporter as police begin hunt

Manchester United fan Benjamin Okello has died in Uganda after being involved in a ‘scuffle’ with an Arsenal supporter, according to African newspaper reports.

Local police have started a hunt for the Arsenal fan – who is ‘on the run’ after he allegedly assaulted the United supporter with a large stick – which is believed to have possibly led to his death, Ugandan outlet The Daily Monitor have reported.

The alleged incident occurred at Kyobugombe Trading Centre in the Kaharo Sub County of the Kabale District, located in the western region of Uganda, after the duo watched Sunday’s Premier League 2-2 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool.

It is thought an argument started after Liverpool’s 81st-minute equaliser, with the United fan goading the Arsenal supporter before throwing popcorn at his head.

‘I received information [on Monday] morning that two men fought on Sunday night [at] Kyobugombe Trading Centre,’ Mr Edmond Tumwesigye said, who is the Kaharo Sub County LCIII Chairperson.

‘One of them was rushed to Bukinda Health Centre for treatment and was referred to Rugarama, where he died from [injuries].

‘A scuffle started in a video hall at Kyobugombe Trading Centre, where they were watching a football match between Arsenal and Liverpool.

‘When Liverpool scored an equaliser in 81st minute, the Manchester United fan, now the deceased, started jubilating and this angered the Arsenal fan.

‘He (Man Utd fan) threw popcorn at the Arsenal fan, sparking an argument between the two.

‘After the game, the Arsenal fan picked [up] a stick and hit the Manchester United fan, causing him to fall down.’

District Police Commander Mr Joseph Bakaleke added: ‘We got information indicating that the two boys who were supporters of two different teams had a scuffle and in so doing, one assaulted the other.

‘It is alleged that when [the assaulted] one was taken to the hospital later alone, he met his death.

‘We have tried to encourage the relatives of the deceased to be calm down, as we continue to hunt for the other one who is alleged to have participated in the fight, to explain what exactly happened, as well as getting information from those who were present to aid the investigations in the matter.’