He was arrested on suspicion of being a member of a terrorist group.
Following the defeat of the Leopards (2-3) against Senegal in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Minister of Sports, Didier Budimbu, expressed his deep indignation at the acts of vandalism perpetrated by some Congolese supporters at the Martyrs Stadium.
We observe with deep sadness the state of the Martyrs’ Stadium, a place that embodies the very essence of our strongest emotions and national pride. These actions are not only unacceptable, they are deeply contrary to the spirit of the sport. That is why we condemn in the strongest possible terms such degradations , he said on his X account.
There were reports of shots and urine being thrown at officials on the pitch, chairs being pulled out and broken in the stands, physical violence in and around the stadium, and panic-induced shoving. These events led to the urgent intervention of the police to contain the floods.
The Martyrs’ Stadium, recently renovated, suffered extensive damage.
Didier Budimbu urged the fans to overcome their sadness and unconditionally support the Leopards and their coach:
Sport must remain a force for unity, not division. More than ever, our national team needs our unwavering support .
