Tuesday, May 13, 2014
CAF's President Hayatou expresses "deep sorrow" over the death of fans in DR Congo
The
Confederation of African Football has expressed its “deep sorrow”
following the death of at least 15 people who were killed in a
stampede at a match in DR Congo.
CAF's
President Issa Hayatou expressed his deep sorrow at the tragic
killing of at least 15 people which occurred during Congolese League
match between AS Vita Club and TP Mazembe in Kinshasa and immediately
asked the Congolese FA, FECOFA to give CAF full briefings of the
incident.
The
unfortunate incident occurred on the final day of league action of
the national championship in the match between AS Vita and TP Mazembe
at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa on Sunday 11 May, 2014. At least 15
people were killed and many others injured in the stampede which
started after the collapse of a wall and a gate at the stadium which
had recently been restored by the AS Vita Club. The stampede started
in additional time of the match after some irate supporters of Vita
Club, incensed by their team trailing Mazembe 1-0 showed their
discontent by launching projectiles on the pitch. The police
responded by throwing team gas canisters at the crowd.
Speaking
Mr. Hayatou said: “ I would like to express my deepest sympathy on
hearing of the untimely deaths of at least 15 people during the match
of AS Vita and TP Mazembe, personally, and on behalf of the members
of the African Football community, I should be grateful if you could
extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved
ones. Further, we wish those that have been reported injured and
receiving medical assistance full recovery.”
Hayatou
also expressed CAF's position regarding violence, the President said:
“I wish to re-emphasize that any acts of violence have no place in
football. They must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and
I urge the FECOFA and authorities in the DR Congo to thoroughly
investigate this matter and ensure that measures put in place to
avoid a repeat of any incident are fully briefed with CAF and
forestall any such occurrence.”
Praying for all the families, may God grant them grace and peace during this difficult time.
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