Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said Tuesday that the Kanjuruhan stadium in the city of Malang, East Java, where a stampede claimed the lives of 133 people on October 1, 2022, will be demolished and then rebuilt to conform to FIFA's safety standards.

Two weeks after the tragic event ensued, the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, met Widodo in the capital Jakarta to discuss plans to "reform and transform" the sport in the country.

The disaster which had occurred two weeks prior, and claimed the lives of over 40 children, was described as "one of the darkest days for football" by Infantino. 

The incident happened when Police fired tear gas into overcrowded stands as supporters were trying to enter the pitch at the end of a game between Arema FC and rivals Persebaya Surabaya.

"For Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, we will demolish and rebuild it according to FIFA standards," Widodo told reporters.

The new stadium will have "proper facilities that can ensure the safety of both players and supporters".

"We will reform and transform football in this country," Infantino added.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on October 18 that next year's U-20 football World Cup would be played in Indonesia as planned, despite a recent stadium tragedy that left 132 people dead.https://t.co/YgTO2kiF7o

— ponta_fujii (@FujiiPonta) October 18, 2022

As he was delivering his pledges, hospital officials confirmed that a 33-year-old person who couldn't sustain their injuries by the crash had died, thus raising the death toll to 133. 

"What I can guarantee to all the people of Indonesia: FIFA is here with you, FIFA is here to stay, FIFA is here to work in a very close partnership with the government, with the Asian Football Confederation, and with the federation of Indonesia," Infantino said.

For the new stadium to operate smoothly, it would require improving stadium operations and fan behavior, including creating programs for football in schools.

"We will bring our experts, we will help and invest and we will make sure that Indonesia shines on the global football stage."

Widodo expressed corresponding views with FIFA "on a thorough transformation of Indonesian football to ensure all aspects of the matches follow the international safety standards".

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