Seven injured as Chinese fans stampede to see Beckham

Fans eager to see David Beckham stormed a police cordon yesterday in a stampede at a Shanghai university that injured seven people including five security personnel.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jun 2013, 17:01 BST
A security officer and others attempt to carry a policewoman injured in a stampede by fans of David Beckham at a university in ShanghaiA security officer and others attempt to carry a policewoman injured in a stampede by fans of David Beckham at a university in Shanghai
A security officer and others attempt to carry a policewoman injured in a stampede by fans of David Beckham at a university in Shanghai

Three police officers, two university security guards and two students – including a Japanese student – were injured.

Nearly 1,000 fans had gathered at a stadium in Shanghai Tongji University, where the newly-retired football superstar was to meet members of the university team.

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When he arrived, fans stormed through a gate and broke through a line formed by police and guards, according to the state-run news site Xinmin Net.

Photos and video footage show people pushed to the ground, shoes scattered and a policewoman being carried away, her face covered in blood.

“Too crazy,” said Chu Dan, a Tongji University football player who was hoping to have “some interaction on the pitch” with Beckham. “But we didn’t expect so many people showing up here – too many fans of Beckham.”

A post on Beckham’s microblog on the Chinese-language platform Sina Weibo wishes the injured a quick recovery and expresses regret for the cancellation of the event.

“It was impossible to get through the massive crowds,” the post read.

Related topics:David Beckham