149-0 scoreline sets new record

Newly-crowned Madagascan champions AS Adema thrashed their arch-rivals Stade Olympique I'Emyrne 149-0 in a top national league game.

But it was not their outstanding skill that led to the outlandish scoreline.

It was because Olympique deliberately scored one own goal after another in protest over a refereeing decision.

Radio Madagascar reported that Olympique began banging the ball into their own net after their coach Ratsimandresy Ratsarazaka lost his temper with the referee.

No contest

Fans told the station that after the row between coach and official at Adema's home ground in the port of Toamasina, the visitors directed each kick-off directly towards their own goal.

Adema's players simply stood around looking bemused as their opponents self-destructed.

The presenter claimed the result was a new world record score in a first class match.

Olympique were last year's Malagasy champions who were a surprise qualifier for the second round of the African Champions League this season.

Adema clinched the Malagasy title last weekend.