11:53AM, Sun Oct 14, 2012

Tiote, Ba And Cisse Escape Rioting At African Nations Qualifier

By Ruth Holliday Location: Dakar

VIDEO: The aftermath of the rioting in the stands

Newcastle United players Chieck Tiote, Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba had to be escorted off the pitch to safety when rioting broke out at an African Cup Of Nations qualifier between Ivory Coast and Senegal in Dakar.

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The match was abandoned after outbreaks of violence in the stands, missiles being thrown and fires being lit.

It started shortly after after Ivory Coast and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored his second goal to put his team 2-0 up, with a penalty in the 70th minute.

A few minutes earlier, a fan had run on to the pitch and almost reached Drogba before being wrestled to the ground.

The incident was confirmed on the official website of the Senegalese Football Federation which said: "Unfortunately the match ended in very sombre circumstances.

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The players are escorted off the pitch by police with riot shields

"The referee was forced to stop in the match in the 72nd minute with the score at 2-0 because of serious outbreaks in the stands by very unhappy Senegalese supporters.

"The police took the public out after many confrontations."

As Ivory Coast were leading 6-2 on aggregate when the match was abandoned, it will be Cheick Tiote's side who compete in the final tournament in January.

Although he will be without Tiote for up to six weeks, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will be relieved that Senegal strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse will be staying on Tyneside.

A host of other Premier League players were involved in the match, including West Ham's Mohamed Diame, Arsenal striker Gervinho and Manchester City brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure.