At least 125 people were killed and some 300 injured after violence erupted at a soccer match in the Indonesian province of East Java, one of the world’s deadliest stadium riots, according to reported the media Kyodo News.
East Java Police Chief Nico Afinta told a news conference that two policemen trying to restore order were among those killed at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang regency.
The riots occurred after Persebaya, from the provincial capital, Surabaya, beat Arema FC, from Malang, prompting several Arema fans to invade the field and persecute Persebaya players and officials, according to the police and video footage posted on news websites.
Police fired tear gas, and the stampede came amid chaotic scenes as fans tried to find a way out of the stadium.
FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, stipulates in its stadium security regulations that police officers may not carry or use firearms or riot gas on the perimeter of the pitch.
Afinta said that only Arema supporters were in the stadium, with Persebaya fans watching the game virtually in Surabaya.
Due to some fights between Arema and Persebaya supporters in the past, the organizer decided to ban the latter’s supporters from the stadium during the match.
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The decision also applies to Arema supporters when a match is held in Surabaya.
“Of the 40,000 people present in the stadium, only 3,000 became anarchic and went down to the field,” Afinta said.
In a press release, President Joko Widodo instructed the National Police, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Indonesian Football Association to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of security procedures at football matches.
It also ordered the suspension of soccer league matches until evaluation and improvements are made.
“I am sorry for this tragedy and I hope it will be the last tragedy of a football match in the country. May this type of humanitarian tragedy not be repeated in the future,” the president said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the tragedy “a dark day for everyone involved in football and an incomprehensible tragedy.”
Also responding to the incident, the executive director of human rights organization Amnesty International Indonesia, Usman Hamid, said: “This loss of life cannot go unanswered.”
“Tear gas should only be used to disperse crowds when widespread violence has occurred and other methods have failed,” he added.
Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said on his Instagram account that the stadium only seats 38,000 people, but match organizers had sold 42,000 tickets.
Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali said in a television interview that the ministry will reassess security at soccer matches, including considering not allowing spectators in stadiums and banning night games.
Indonesia will host the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year. It is also bidding to host next year’s Asian Cup, along with Australia, Qatar and South Korea.
