BIZARRE
Guineans mourn victims of stadium crush that killed 56
When Mory Cisse dropped his 27-year-old brother off at a stadium in the southeastern Guinean city of Nzerekore to watch a soccer match after lunch on Sunday, he had no idea it would be the last time he saw him alive.
His brother had been in town for the funeral of their father who died last week, and the two had gone to watch the final of a tournament in honour of Guinea’s junta leader Mamady Doumbouya.
Cisse left before chaos erupted in the stadium, leading to a crush that killed at least 56 people, including his brother.
“It was at 7 p.m. that a friend called me to tell me that the situation was very tense there (at the stadium),” Cisse said.
“I was told to call my brother’s number but it was not going through. It was when I went to the hospital that I found his body.”
A city administration official said many victims were children caught in the turmoil after police started firing tear gas.
“We saw four bodies, all young. The gate fell on children. The passing vehicles didn’t even pay attention to people exiting; a small child was even violently run over,” said Moriba Haba, a 16-year-old secondary school student involved in the crush, told Reuters.
“I was very scared. I have never witnessed things like this … I saw children crying, screaming their mothers’ names. I was saddened but I didn’t have the strength to help them.”
Siba Alain Loua, a 17-year-old speaking from a hospital bed, said he fell when the panic started but managed to stand up.
“There were several deaths on the spot,” he said.
“My friends helped me get home last night. This morning we came to the hospital for treatment.”
The crush was triggered by a disputed red card in the 82nd minute of the match. Fans threw stones, sparking violence, the government said in a statement promising an investigation.
“The tragedy is immense – it’s overwhelming and I’m at a loss for words,” said Kolie Pepe, a Nzerekore resident who lost a sister.
“Honestly, the organisation was not good… Everything should have been well prepared at the military camp for good security at the event.”
-Reuters
Here is a look at major disasters in soccer stadiums over recent decades after 56 people were killed during a stadium crush in Guinea sparked by an on-field controversy.
December 2024, Guinea
A disputed refereeing decision triggered violence and a crush at a soccer match in the southeastern city of Nzerekore, killing 56 people, authorities said.
October 2022, Indonesia
At least 125 people died and more than 320 were injured after a football match in East Java involving Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya. Arema FC supporters invaded the pitch at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang following a 3-2 defeat and police fired tear gas, triggering a crush and suffocation.
January 2022, Cameroon
At least eight people died and 38 were injured in a crush at the Yaounde Olembe Stadium in Cameroon before the host country’s Africa Cup of Nations last-16 game against Comoros.
February 2012, Egypt
Fans rioted at the end of a match between rivals Al-Masry and Al-Ahly in the city of Port Said. At least 73 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured, and the Egyptian league was suspended for two years.
March 2009, Cote d’Ivoire
At least 19 people were killed during chaos at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium before a World Cup soccer qualifying match against Malawi.
May 2001, Ghana
Around 126 people were killed in a crush at Accra’s main soccer stadium when police fired tear gas at rioting fans in one of Africa’s worst soccer disasters.
April 2001, South Africa
At least 43 people were crushed to death when soccer fans tried to force their way into Johannesburg’s huge Ellis Park Stadium midway through a top South African league match.
October 1996, Guatemala
Up to 82 people died and at least 147 were injured when an avalanche of fans tumbled down seats and a flight of stairs at a World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica in Guatemala City.
May 1992, France
A stand at Bastia’s Furiani Stadium collapsed before a French Cup semi-final against Olympique de Marseille, killing 18 and injuring more than 2,300.
In 2021, the French parliament passed a law banning professional matches taking place in the country on May 5 in memory of the victims.
January 1991, South Africa
Forty-two people died in a crush during a pre-season game at the Oppenheimer Stadium in the mining town of Orkney between the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates. A Pirates fan had attacked Chiefs supporters in the crowd with a knife.
April 1989, Britain
96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death in an over-crowded and fenced-in enclosure at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield before an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
A 97th victim died in 2021 after suffering irreversible brain damage from the Hillsborough disaster.
March 1988, Nepal
A rush towards locked exits in a hailstorm at Nepal’s national soccer stadium in Kathmandu killed more than 90 fans.
May 1985, Belgium
Thirty-nine fans died and more than 600 were injured in fan violence before the European Cup final between Juventus and Liverpool at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels.
May 1985, Britain
At least 56 people were killed and more than 200 injured when fire broke out in the stands at the Valley Parade stadium in Bradford during a third division match against Lincoln City.
October 1982, Russia
Fans were crushed as they left a UEFA Cup tie between Spartak Moscow and Dutch side HFC Haarlem at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Officials from the former Soviet Union did not disclose the tragedy for years. When they did, they gave an official death toll of 66 although the number who died in a crush at one exit could have been as high as 340.
-Reuters
A controversial refereeing decision sparked violence and a crush at a soccer match in southeast Guinea, killing 56 people, according to a provisional toll, the government said on Monday.
The fatalities occurred during the final of a tournament in honour of Guinea’s military leader Mamady Doumbouya at a stadium in Nzerekore, one of the nation’s largest cities.
Some fans threw stones, triggering panic and a crush, the government statement said, promising an investigation.
A video authenticated by Reuters showed dozens of people scrambling over high walls to escape.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official from the city’s administration said many victims were minors caught in the turmoil after police started firing tear gas. The official described scenes of confusion and chaos with some parents retrieving bodies before they were officially counted.
Videos and pictures shared online showed victims lined up on the ground. In one video, over a dozen inert bodies could be seen, several of them children.
Reuters was not immediately able to verify that footage.
Opposition group National Alliance for Change and Democracy said authorities bore responsibility for organising tournaments to bolster political support for Doumbouya in contravention of a transition charter prior to a promised presidential election.
There was no immediate response from the military junta to that accusation.
Reuters
Argentine club Deportivo Riestra were branded “shameful” and a “disgrace” after putting an influencer into the starting line-up for Monday’s top-flight game against leaders Velez Sarsfield before substituting him inside the first minute.
Ivan Buhajeruk, who is better known as Spreen and has more than 7 million subscribers on YouTube, has no professional football experience but was named as a striker in the side by coach Cristian Fabbiani.
The 24-year-old was subbed off after only 50 seconds during a break in play for a foul.
The lowly Buenos Aires club, who are known for their unconventional marketing strategies, gave Buhajeruk a professional contract and registered him with the Argentine FA in February.
Match commentators on local broadcaster Tyc Sports were scathing of Buhajeruk’s performance in the short time he was on the pitch.
“He doesn’t even know where to stand … it’s unbelievable,” one commentator said. “This is shameful, it’s a total disgrace.”
Fabbiani told a local radio station that he had spoken to Velez coach Gustavo Quinteros ahead of the match to tell him he did not want to disrespect anyone by naming Buhajeruk in the team.
“He laughed and told me to leave him for half an hour. It’s something contractual that was signed a long time ago and the club depends a lot on publicity … It was probably a one-time thing,” he added.
Former Argentina international Juan Sebastian Veron, now president of Argentine club Estudiantes de la Plata, was unimpressed by the publicity stunt.
“A total lack of respect for football and footballers,” he wrote on Instagram.
Argentine newspaper La Nacion wrote on its website: “How to disrespect the history and future of Argentine football in one minute”.
Riestra have enjoyed an impressive maiden campaign in the Primera Division and in ninth place, level on points with giants Boca Juniors.
Monday’s match ended 1-1.
-Reuters
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
NFF congratulates Felix Owolabi as he clocks on 70 this Sunday
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Ashleigh Plumptre makes Super Falcons return as Madugu unveils his list for France friendly match
- Nigerian Football6 days ago
Remo Stars Win Western Derby against Shooting, Return to the Top
- Premier League1 week ago
Man United keeper Onana honoured by FIFPRO for charity work in Cameroon
- FIFA THE BEST5 days ago
Lookman, Ekong and Morocco’s Hakimi among five Africans for Best XI
- Governing Bodies6 days ago
Algeria’s former football boss arrested
- CHAN2 days ago
Ahmed Musa ignored as Eguavoen calls up 30 home-based players for CHAN adventure
- FIFA RANKING6 days ago
Super Eagles suffer biggest fall in recent years