Several injured after clash following inter-department football match at RU

Several students were injured in a clash between students of two departments at Rajshahi University following an inter-department football match this afternoon.

The incident occurred at the university stadium after a round-of-16 match between the Department of History and Department of Clinical Psychology ended in a penalty shootout.

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Students said the match began at 3:00pm and finished 1-1 in regulation time. History won the shootout, sparking tension among supporters over sledging and celebrations. The situation escalated into a clash, leaving several injured. The university proctor and teachers from both departments rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

Ahmed Sanaullah Rafsan, a student of the history department, said, “After we won, clinical psychology department's goalkeeper and captain attacked one of our players. At one stage, our defender Jim was hit on the head with a brick.”

Abu Suaib Mohammad Jim was later taken to the university medical centre by ambulance.

Hasan Zaman, a clinical psychology student, said sledging from the gallery during the shootout led to tension. After history department won, someone from the gallery allegedly hit their goalkeeper with a brick, he claimed.

"When our goalkeeper pointed out the incident, several players from the history [department] moved towards him. This led to pushing and fighting between the two sides," Hasan said.

He called for a proper investigation, noting that CCTV cameras and organisers were present.

Roksana Begum, acting director of the Department of Physical Education and Sports, said the match had proceeded smoothly until the shootout. “After history [department] won, fighting broke out. I tried to control the situation,” she said, adding that she later learned of Jim’s injury.

University Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman said the incident was “completely undesirable,” adding that discussions would be held with teachers, students and organisers to resolve the matter.