16 Nov 2009

Football riot prompts Solomons security review

2:41 pm on 16 November 2009

The Solomon Islands police and the country's football federation will be beefing up security following rioting during a tournament match which saw a building burnt down and a business looted.

A Solomons Cup match between Honiara and Malaita ended early after rioters threw rocks on the field, following a ruling by the referee against Malaita.

14 people have so far been arrested.

The Solomon Islands police Commissioner, Peter Marshall, says the rioters' behaviour was disgraceful, and more arrests will be made.

"It's not something that is particularly extraordinary in the sense that overseas fans do get angry at soccer venues, and tempers start to flare and we're very mindful that only two premises were actually damaged and one actually belonged to the soccer federation itself."

Peter Marshall says there will be additional security for the finals and semi finals of the tournament, and he is working with the football federation to see what else needs to be done.