FIFA: ‘Dark day’ for football after 174 killed in stadium stampede in Indonesia

The International Football Association (FIFA) issued a statement on Sunday about the tragic events that took place in one of the Indonesian league matches, which have so far caused the death of at least 174 people and 180 injured in a stampede and riot at a soccer match in Indonesia, in one of the world’s worst stadium disasters. "The football world is in a state of shock following the tragic incidents that have taken place in Indonesia at the end of the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. "This is a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond comprehension. I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following this tragic incident," he added. "Together with FIFA and the global football community, all our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, those who have been injured, together with the people of the Republic of Indonesia, the Asian Football Confederation, the Indonesian Football Association, and the Indonesian Football League, at this difficult time." FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said the entire football world is in shock following the death of 174 people in a tragic stadium stampede in Indonesia. Infantino extended his condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the tragic incident. About 174 people were registered killed and 180 injured in a stampede at a soccer stadium after police sought to quell violence on the pitch, officials said on Sunday, in one of the world's worst stadium disasters. Officers fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse agitated supporters of the losing home side who had invaded the pitch after the final whistle in Malang, East Java, on Saturday night, the region's police chief Nico Afinta told reporters. World soccer's governing body FIFA specifies in its safety regulations that no firearms or "crowd control gas" should be carried or used by stewards or police. The game in Surabaya in Indonesia’s East Java province between local rivals Arema and Persebaya descended into violence after thousands of fans stormed the pitch, police said on Sunday, adding that the death toll could rise further. East Java police chief Nico Afinta said the crowd was made up entirely of fans of Arema, the home team, which lost the match 3-2, with Persebaya supporters watching virtually from Surabaya, the provincial capital. The chaos occurred after police fired tear gas as fans “became anarchic” and stormed the pitch, triggering a stampede in which people were trampled and suffocated, Afinta said. Two police officers were among those killed. The tragedy is a damaging blow to Indonesia’s credentials as a venue for high-profile international sports. The country is hosting the men’s under-20 FIFA World Cup in 2023 and is bidding to host next year’s Asian Cup.