FIFA did not sanction Indonesia over stadium incident that killed 131
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced that FIFA has not sanctioned Indonesia and that the country will be able to host the under-20 World Cup.
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo (AFP)
FIFA will not sanction Indonesia for the firing of tear gas by police inside a full football stadium, resulting in a stampede and crush that killed 131 people, including 17 children.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in a letter that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had written to him regarding potential collaborations between Indonesia and FIFA and that the country would continue to host next year's Under-20 World Cup, which will be attended by 24 countries from five continents.
“Based on the letter, thank God, Indonesian football is not sanctioned by FIFA,” Widodo said on his Twitter.
Saya telah menerima surat dari FIFA menyusul pembicaraan melalui telepon saya dengan Presiden FIFA, Gianni Infantino, beberapa waktu lalu.
— Joko Widodo (@jokowi) October 7, 2022
Bagaimana keputusan FIFA atas tragedi sepak bola di Stadion Kanjuruhan, 1 Oktober lalu? https://t.co/tsKciY53ZZ
On Wednesday, Widodo visited the Kanjuruhan football stadium in Malang, East Java, where he claimed that shut gates contributed to the loss of 131 individuals during a match between arch-rivals Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya on October 1.
Widodo also stated that the Indonesian government has promised to work with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to improve stadium safety in order to avoid another disaster.
Infantino also stated that he will be visiting Indonesia in the near future.
Behind the stadium incident
In a massive riot that resulted in a stampede in an Indonesia stadium, at least 131 football fans were reportedly killed, and another 180 individuals sustained injuries, according to law enforcement officials.
According to Nico Afinta, police chief of the East Java Province, riots broke out as the match came to a close in Malang, Indonesia. The match was between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya.
After Arema lost 3-2 in its home field, chaos erupted, with a stampede causing many cases of suffocation and leading to deaths, including two police officers who were trying to deter the crowd.
Videos circulating social media show scores of fans climbing over the field barricade as the police threw tear gas.
Local police officers and elements from the Indonesia National Armed Forces charged into the stadium, helping players from the field.
The Times of Indonesia reported that officers were trying to pacify the crowd by hitting supporters and deploying tear gas.
