FIFA Member Association flags fly at half-mast at FIFA HQ
A violent stampede at an Indonesian football stadium killed at least 125 people and wounded scores more. One of the world’s deadliest sporting stadium tragedies occurred on Saturday night in the eastern city of Malang. In reaction to a pitch invasion by angry supporters, police sprayed tear gas, triggering a crush of scared onlookers.
Officers and organizers are facing questions about the disaster, including the deployment of tear gas within the site, which is against Fifa guidelines.
“The football world is in a state of shock following the tragic incidents that took place in Indonesia" FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
All FIFA Member Association & Confederation flags are now flying at half-mast at FIFA HQ, in tribute to all those who lost their lives.
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) October 2, 2022
The event occurred after the Javanese team Arema was beaten by their rivals Persebaya Surabaya on Saturday night at Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang district, East Java.
FC Barcelona is pained by the tragic events at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Indonesia and rejects all acts of violence both on and off the field.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 2, 2022
Manchester United and Barcelona paid their respects online, and other Spanish football teams announced a minute’s reflection before their games on Sunday.
Manchester United is deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang, Indonesia.
We send our sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and everyone affected.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 2, 2022
Joko Widodo, Indonesia’s president, has directed officials to completely re-evaluate security at football events and has ordered a halt of Liga 1 matches. Saturday’s events should be remembered as the “final soccer catastrophe in the country,” he stated.
Questions have also been raised about why the venue was overcrowded. In an Instagram post on Sunday, Indonesia’s senior security minister, Mahfud MD, revealed that 42,000 tickets had been given for a stadium that can house a maximum of 38,000 people.
At a press conference on Sunday, East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta defended the force’s action. He said that additional precautions were taken prior to the use of tear gas, but that supporters “began to assault the police, acting chaotically and burning vehicles.”
According to local reports, up to 3,000 people flooded the ground. Outside the stadium, there were more fights, with vehicles, including a police van, being set on fire.
The tragedy occurs just as Indonesia prepares to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup in May and June of next year. They are also one of three countries competing to host the Asian Cup, the region’s version of the Euros, next year, after China declined to host.
“The football world is in shock as a result of the dreadful events that occurred in Indonesia at the end of the match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at the Kanjuruhan Stadium,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated.
“This is a gloomy day for all football fans and a tragedy beyond explanation. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the people who died as a result of this unfortunate occurrence,” he remarked. “At this sad moment, all of our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and those who have been injured, as well as the people of the Republic of Indonesia, the Asian Football Confederation, the Indonesian Football Association, and the Indonesian Football League,” he concluded.
