Indonesian stadium stampede a ‘dark day for all involved in football’ says Fifa president Infantino
- Incident which left 125 people dead and 180 injured was one of the world’s deadliest sporting stadium disasters
- ‘The football world is in a state of shock following,’ Infantino says – ‘all our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’
The death of at least 125 people in an Indonesian stadium stampede was “a dark day for all involved in football and a tragedy beyond comprehension”, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said on Sunday.
The incident on Saturday night in the city of Malang, which also left 180 injured, was one of the world’s deadliest sporting 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,” Infantino said.
“All our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, those who have been injured, together with the people of the Republic of Indonesia.”
Fifa has asked football bosses in Indonesia for a report into the riot, which authorities had initially said killed 174, but revised the number down because some victims were counted twice.
The deaths at the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya followed the firing of tear gas by police after Arema fans, whose side lost 3-2, stormed the pitch.