Police, fans injured in Tunis derby clashes

Tunis —Police and fans were injured in clashes during the Tunis derby between arch-rivals Club Africain and Esperance Sportive de Tunis on Sunday, the interior ministry said.

Police used tear gas following confrontations with Club Africain supporters at the Rades Olympic stadium, in the suburbs of Tunis.

“More than 10 police and security agents were injured,” the interior ministry said in a statement. “A group of people believed to have been involved in the violence have been arrested.”

CA president Slim Riahi blamed “provocation” by security staff towards supporters during the match which Esperance won 2-0. “It’s a scandal,” he told local radio. Interior Ministry spokesperson Yasser Mesbah insisted security officials “had been targeted” by violent fans, with his office publishing photos of ripped up seats and bottles strewn across the pitch.

“We have a problem of morals and mentality,” said Sports Minister Majdouline Cherni, referring to violent episodes during football matches in recent months in Tunisia.

Meanwhile, Tunisia said that it had replaced two senior officials in a southeastern region, days after protesters there booed the prime minister off stage following weeks of demonstrations.

Tunisia has faced a wave of protests and strikes over joblessness, corruption and perceived marginalisation, six years since a revolution ignited by similar grievances.

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed was shouted down and forced to leave a heated town hall meeting in Tataouine, 500km south of Tunis on Thursday.

The government announced on Saturday that “Mohamed Ali Barhoumi (was named) governor of Tataouine and Mohamed Cherif named sub-prefect”.

Their predecessors were dismissed, as was the regional head of the National Guard, said a government source.

“Other officials will follow,” the source added, without elaborating.

Chahed and his delegation had announced measures to bring jobs and development to the region, which residents claim is marginalised.

Tataouine residents have long demanded more jobs and a bigger share of the revenues from oil extraction in the region.—AFP.