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Heavy police presence for China's soccer league decider

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-10-30 15:52

BEIJING: Up to 6,000 police will be on duty for Beijing Guoan's Chinese Super League (CSL) match on Saturday, where they could seal their first title, after fans rioted on Thursday after failing to get tickets for the game.

Police detained 12 fans after dozens blocked roads, surrounded police cars and threw objects outside the Beijing Workers' Stadium when they failed to get tickets to the match, the Beijing Youth Daily reported on Friday.

Beijing Guoan, who top the table on goal difference ahead of Henan Construction, need only a win on Saturday over second-bottom Hangzhou Greentown to win the title.

About 10,000 fans had gathered outside the stadium on Thursday in the hope to buy tickets, but only 13,000 of the 60,000 seats in the stadium were put on sale, leaving thousands frustrated, the paper said.

The club has 15,000 season ticket holders, but Guoan denied withholding tickets.