Commenting on the violence during the recent Pakistan-Afghanistan ICC World Cup match in Leeds, the British government said it was “concerned over reports of violence between fans at the Pakistan-Afghanistan cricket match this weekend”, said Geo News.
Speaking to Geo News, a spokesman of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said, “Any evidence of criminal behaviour should be passed to the police who will investigate as appropriate”.
When asked to comment over Islamabad’s protest over a plane flying over the cricket pitch carrying political slogans to target Pakistan, the spokesman expressed concern and stressed that the UK stood for Pakistan’s territorial integrity.
He added, “We are also aware of political protests at the match. The UK government fully respects the territorial integrity of Pakistan. We are clear in our respect for the right to peaceful protest and free speech.”
Earlier, Pakistan had slammed the use of sports venues for such malicious propaganda and called for all relevant authorities including sports and law enforcement to thoroughly probe the matter and take the culprits to the task. “The matter is also being taken up through diplomatic channels,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad had said.
Geo News also reported that a spokesman of the West Yorkshire Police confirmed that four hooligans involved in violence had been arrested and they were continuing to investigate incidents of the day.
“At 11:55am on Saturday (29/6) police received reports of some trouble outside the ground linked to people trying to get in. Officers attended to disperse the group without any issues and remained on patrol in the area. Four arrests were made over the course of the event.”
Speaking to Geo News, a spokesman of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said, “Any evidence of criminal behaviour should be passed to the police who will investigate as appropriate”.
When asked to comment over Islamabad’s protest over a plane flying over the cricket pitch carrying political slogans to target Pakistan, the spokesman expressed concern and stressed that the UK stood for Pakistan’s territorial integrity.
He added, “We are also aware of political protests at the match. The UK government fully respects the territorial integrity of Pakistan. We are clear in our respect for the right to peaceful protest and free speech.”
Earlier, Pakistan had slammed the use of sports venues for such malicious propaganda and called for all relevant authorities including sports and law enforcement to thoroughly probe the matter and take the culprits to the task. “The matter is also being taken up through diplomatic channels,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad had said.
Read more: Pakistan-Afghanistan Match: Foreign Office Condemns Display Of Anti-Pakistan Banners, Brawls
Geo News also reported that a spokesman of the West Yorkshire Police confirmed that four hooligans involved in violence had been arrested and they were continuing to investigate incidents of the day.
“At 11:55am on Saturday (29/6) police received reports of some trouble outside the ground linked to people trying to get in. Officers attended to disperse the group without any issues and remained on patrol in the area. Four arrests were made over the course of the event.”