The Indonesian soccer federation has suspended “for life” two directors of Arema FC, in whose stadium a stampede occurred on Saturday that caused at least 125 deaths and 323 injuries, as announced on Tuesday.
The tragedy occurred after some 3,000 Arema FC fans invaded the field of play after the defeat against rival Persebaya Surabaya (2-3) and clashed with security forces, who in turn used tear gas.
The organizer of the match, Abdul Harris, and a member of the security, Suko Sutrisno, were suspended “for life from any activity in the world of football”, announced the president of the disciplinary committee of the Indonesian federation, Erwin Tobing.
The coach, who was speaking at a press conference, added that Arema FC will have to pay a fine of 250 million Indonesian rupiahs (about 16,500 euros).
According to East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta, most of the deaths were caused by stampeding fans, many of whom suffocated as they tried to leave the stadium. Many of the people were trampled to death in the chaos of the stampede.
According to the first official count, revised after some errors, 125 people died, including 32 children, and 323 were injured of varying degrees, in one of the greatest tragedies in the history of world football.
The use of tear gas against fans, prohibited inside the stadiums by the rules of FIFA – the highest body in world football – has been criticized by organizations that guarantee human rights, such as Amnesty International and the Human Rights Organization.
The president of Arema FC, Gilang Widya Pramana, assured that he is “cooperating and supporting” the investigation of the tragic event and that the club will also “financially compensate the families of the victims and injured.”
Source: TSF
