The annual Canada World Peace Soccer Tournament in Edmonton was called off at short notice due to rain, but hundreds of people gathered at the match location anyway, the Edmonton Journal reports.

There were subsequently violent clashes between supporters and opponents of long-time Eritrean dictator Isaias Afwerki, with some combatants allegedly armed with wooden sticks.

According to Global News, riot police were deployed and dispersed the gathering. At least 11 people were hospitalised with minor injuries.

Abdullahi Mohamed, organiser of the football tournament, said it was not set up to “bring the stupidness” of various peoples’ disputes to Canada.

“They didn’t book [the field] and they are there fighting each other,” he said. “They don’t follow the rules.”