A group of Brazil supporters have assaulted and stabbed an Argentina fan and his wife in Khulna following heated arguments between two groups over which South American team, currently playing in the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia, is superior.
The tragic incident took place in Maheshwar Pasha Gazir Mor area at Doulatpur in the city on Monday morning.
Both victims, identified as Md Shukur Hawlader, 35, a local cable operator, and his wife Minu Aktar, 25, were admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH).
Bangladesh has traditionally been dominated by Brazil and Argentina fans, and having supporters of each team at each others’ throats is a common occurrence.
Monday’s incident at Doulatpur followed an argument between the groups of supporters of these countries after Saturday night’s match between Argentina and Iceland, which resulted in a 1-1 draw.
After that game, local Brazil fans had given their rivals a hard time, which came back to bite them when Brazil ended up with a 1-1 draw too with Switzerland on Sunday night.
Argentina fans then mocked their Brazil counterparts, which enraged some from the latter group and they ended up attacking the couple near their home.
Shukur and Minu both were hacked with sharp weapons on their heads, according to witnesses and doctors at KMCH. They were also beaten haphazardly with melee weapons.
Confirming the incident, Doulatpur police station OC Syed Mosharraf Hossain said police had visited the scene after the assault. “However, we will only be able to take legal action after a formal complaint is filed.”
No case had been filed with police as of Monday night.