Oman official hit by rocks

A member of the Oman coaching staff suffered a head injury as the Burmese supporters went on the rampage after the away team took a 2-0 lead in the game at the Tuwana stadium on Thursday, the Burma official told AFP.

"The match was stopped after the first 39 minutes because security forces lost control of the Myanmar (Burmese) football fans," he said, adding that about 30,000 supporters were at the ground in total.

The identity of the injured man could not immediately be confirmed.

A statement on the website of world footballing body FIFA confirmed the match was "brought to a sudden close" after "local supporters hurled objects repeatedly onto the field".

"The final status of the match will be confirmed by the relevant body in due course," FIFA said.

Oman won the previous round 2-0.

Soe Moe, a media director at the Myanmar (Burma) Football Federation, said the MFF had apologised and would have to explain events to FIFA.

He expressed concern that the country could be banned from hosting future fixtures.

"The country could be harmed if they decide not to hold any international games in Myanmar (Burma) because of some violent audience members. The country's dignity is hurt because of them," he said, adding that he suspected people in the crowd were drunk.

He said FIFA rules meant the host country can face financial penalty if an object is found to have been thrown on to the pitch.

"But thousands of things were thrown inside the ground. Can you imagine how we will face FIFA's response?" he said.

The Burmese official said some of the fans sang the national anthem as they threw objects onto the pitch. "The Oman goalkeeper dared not to stay on the ground."

A witness to the violence said some players may have been hit.

MFF chairman Zaw Zaw was struck by projectiles from the stands as he tried to calm supporters, Soe Moe said.

"We do not blame all audience members, but people should not commit these kinds of actions in the future if they really love football," Soe Moe added.

Football is the most popular sport by far in Burma.

The country, which has a new nominally civilian government after nearly 50 years of army rule, has made efforts to become more internationally active.

It is set to host the SEA Games, a Southeast Asian sporting tournament, in 2013.