Two Perspectives; One Event

Either way, this is just another violent event that tarnishes the Beautiful Game.

Soccer player killed by stray bullet
Agence France-Presse Published: Monday, March 16, 2009

An Iraqi soccer player was killed by a stray bullet on Sunday when one of his team's supporters fired off several rounds to celebrate their victory, police said. The game had just ended in a 1-0 home win for Annana over Sinjar, neighbouring village teams west of Hilla, police lieutenant Ali al-Khafaji said. "A stray bullet hit Annana player Haider Hakem in the chest and he died," Khafaji said. Police arrested the suspected killer from Annana, a rural settlement about 10 kilometres from Hilla, some 120 km south of Baghdad. Fans often launch into a blaze of triumphal gunfire in Iraq when major league teams clash.
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1393701


Iraqi Soccer Player Killed By Fan During Game-Tying Shot
March 16, 2009 AP

BAGHDAD — Police say an Iraqi soccer player has been shot dead just as he was about to kick what could have been the tying goal in a weekend game south of Baghdad.
Police Maj. Muthanna Khalid says a striker from the Buhairat amateur team was facing only the goalie during a Sunday match in Hillah when a supporter of the rival Sinjar club shot him in the head in the final minute of play.
Sinjar was leading 1-0 when the shooting occurred. Khalid said a spectator was arrested.

More Iraqis are turning out for sports events now that security is improving. Major matches in Baghdad are heavily guarded but security in amateur games in smaller cities is often lax.