LUFC Scary scenes for former Leeds favourite

Former Leeds United favourite Max Gradel was involved in scary scenes during the African cup of nations clash between Senegal and Ivory Coast that saw the game abandoned.

The game in Dakar was abandoned after 70 minutes play with Ivory Coast leading 2-0 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate in the second leg of their final eliminator for next year`s finals.

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored twice in the second half, with his second from the penalty spot

Gradel was heavily involved in the second goal, after his shot could only be parried. Gradel followed up and a Senegal defender handled the ball on the ground with Gradel ready to have another attempt on goal.

The second goal prompted the Senegal fans to start fires in the stands and hurl objects onto the pitch.

Ivory Coast fans were also targeted and players from both sides as well as visiting fans sought refuge in the centre circle of the pitch.

The referee finally abandoned the game after forty minutes of unrest and the players and fans were eventually led from the pitch under heavy Police protection.

Ivory Coast are expected to be awarded the game by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and book their place in the finals in South Africa starting in January 2013.

Current Leeds player El Hadji Diouf was overlooked for the game by the Senegal management after they lifted a ban on the player representing his country recently.

Diouf was banned by Senegal for five years in 2011 after comments made by Diouf in a French radio interview.

The Leeds winger had his ban lifted in September and it looked like he could be involved in the clash with Ivory Coast after his form for Leeds in the opening months of the season but he was overlooked when the squad was announced.

The good news for Leeds fans will be that Diouf will now be available for Leeds, if he remains at the club, during the tournament finals in South Africa between January 19th and February 10th with Ivory Coast expected to be awarded the tie.

Diouf is out of contract at Elland Road in January after signing a short-term deal in August.




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