AFC chairman 'deeply shocked' after at least 174 people die in stampede at Indonesian football match
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president has expressed 'deep shock and sadness' after at least 174 people were killed in a stampede during an Indonesian Premier League (Liga 1) game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya.< /p>
Police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse rioting fans on the pitch after hosts Arema were beaten 3-2 at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang on Saturday.
East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta said people died after being run over and suffocated as they ran for the same exit.
Around 180 other people were reportedly injured on a tragic day, Afinta saying 3,000 of the approximately 40,000 spectators in attendance flooded the pitch, sparking "riots".
It was initially reported that approximately 130 people had lost their lives, but authorities later confirmed that the death toll had increased.
The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and has banned Arema from hosting matches for the remainder of the season.
All remaining Liga 1 matches scheduled to take place over the weekend have been suspended following the tragedy.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear such tragic news from football loving Indonesia and on behalf of AFC and the Asian football family, I send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, while expressing our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the fans injured in the incident and our support for the Football Association of Indonesia ( PSSI) and clubs."
Indonesia is set to host the 2023 Under-20 World Cup in May and June.
"We are sorry for this incident...it is a regrettable incident that 'hurts' our football at a time when fans can watch football matches from the stadium," said the Indonesian Minister of Sports and of Youth, Zainudin Amali, in Kompas.
"We will carefully assess the organization of the match and the presence of fans. Are we going to return to banning fans from attending matches? That is what we will discuss."
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president has expressed 'deep shock and sadness' after at least 174 people were killed in a stampede during an Indonesian Premier League (Liga 1) game between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya.< /p>
Police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse rioting fans on the pitch after hosts Arema were beaten 3-2 at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang on Saturday.
East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta said people died after being run over and suffocated as they ran for the same exit.
Around 180 other people were reportedly injured on a tragic day, Afinta saying 3,000 of the approximately 40,000 spectators in attendance flooded the pitch, sparking "riots".
It was initially reported that approximately 130 people had lost their lives, but authorities later confirmed that the death toll had increased.
The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and has banned Arema from hosting matches for the remainder of the season.
All remaining Liga 1 matches scheduled to take place over the weekend have been suspended following the tragedy.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear such tragic news from football loving Indonesia and on behalf of AFC and the Asian football family, I send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, while expressing our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the fans injured in the incident and our support for the Football Association of Indonesia ( PSSI) and clubs."
Indonesia is set to host the 2023 Under-20 World Cup in May and June.
"We are sorry for this incident...it is a regrettable incident that 'hurts' our football at a time when fans can watch football matches from the stadium," said the Indonesian Minister of Sports and of Youth, Zainudin Amali, in Kompas.
"We will carefully assess the organization of the match and the presence of fans. Are we going to return to banning fans from attending matches? That is what we will discuss."
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