Footballer, 35, dies after setting himself alight in protest over ‘police injustice’ after being accused of terrorism

A FOOTBALLER has died after setting himself on fire in protest against “police injustice”.

Tunisian striker Nizar Issaoui, 35, claimed cops accused him of “terrorism” when he complained about the price of bananas.

TwitterTunisian footballer Nizar Issaoui set himself on fire outside a police station[/caption]

AFPProtesters gathered outside a police station in Tunisia following Issaoui’s death[/caption]

The dad-of-four had published a video on Facebook saying he was protesting against police as he had been falsely accused of terrorism in Haffouz, Kairouan, central Tunisia.

Issaoui, a former player for top-flight side US Monastir, set himself on fire outside a police station on Thursday.

He was rushed to hospital after suffering third-degree burns but could not be saved.

A video selfie circulating on social media shows Issaoui screaming: “For a dispute with someone selling bananas at 10 dinars (£2.65), I get accused of terrorism at the police station.

“Terrorism for a complaint about bananas.”

Issaoui was a free agent and played in the amateur leagues before his death.

His brother Ryad said: “He died yesterday [Thursday] and will be buried today.”

Clashes then erupted between police and angry protesters in Haffouz, the hometown of Issaoui. 

Witnesses said police fired gas to disperse the protesters who had gathered in front of the police headquarters.

The incident was similar to that involving Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who torched himself in December 2010 in the town of Sidi Bouzid after a policewoman confiscated his fruit cart.

Bouazizi’s death sparked protests that ended with then-president Ben Ali’s overthrow and inspired rebellions elsewhere in the Middle East.