FIFA to support Indonesian venue safety changes as demolition of Kanjuruhan Stadium announced

October 19, 2022

World football governing body FIFA is to support a joint taskforce with the Indonesian Government that, in the wake of the death of nore than 130 fans at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java on 1st October, will evaluate safety measures at football stadiums across the country.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has also pledged that the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java, where the deaths occurred, will be demolished and rebuilt according to FIFA safety standards.

President Widodo made the announcement after meeting FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Tuesday, stating "this is a football country, a country where football is a passion for over 100 million people.

"We owe it to them that when they see a match they are safe and secure."

On 1st October, fans were caught in a deadly crush as they attempted to leave the Kanjuruhan Stadium after the defeat of the home side Arema FC by Persebaya Surabaya.

While initial reports indicated that more than 170 fans had died, that figure has been revised to now stand at 133 deaths, with a 33-year-old man dying in recent days from injuries sustained in the stampede.

Six people, including police officers and organisers, are facing criminal charges over the crush.

An investigation published last week ruled that the tragic incident had been sparked by Indonesian Police firing tear gas into the stands - a crowd control measure supposedly banned by FIFA.

The report also found several other contributing factors, including the venue being filled beyond capacity and locked exit doors, as well as a push by league officials to hold the game at night to secure higher television ratings.

Investigators also called on the Indonesian Football Association's board to step down, urging them to "resign as a form of responsibility".

With Indonesia set to host the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, President Widodo said the country must "thoroughly transform" how it managed football events.

Despite the deaths, Infantino assured organisers that Indonesia will not have the tournament taken away.

Instead, Infantino said FIFA will bring experts and investment to improve infrastructure across the football-obsessed country of more than 276 million people because "they love football and we owe it to them that when they go to see matches, they are safe and secure."

He said FIFA will work closely with the government, the Asian Football Confederation and Indonesia's Football Association to ensure that the Under-20 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Indonesia next year will run smoothly.

In a joint news conference with President Widodo, Infantino commented "my presence here is a sign of a new departure for football in Indonesia.

"What I can guarantee to the president, what I can guarantee to all the people of Indonesia, is FIFA is here with you."

Images: Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java (top, credit: Shutterstock) and a tweet on yesterday's meeting between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (below). .

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