FIFA and the World Cup Organizing Committee (OC) said that they had no part to play in the ticketing of the friendly between Nigeria and North Korea which resulted in thousands of spectators stampeding Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa.
16 spectators were injured and a policeman is in critical condition.
The problem arose when word got around that the tickets were free resulting in thousands more spectators showing up than the stadium’s 10,000 seating capacity could accomodate. There was only one gate open for them and soon there was a crush of people attempting to force their way in.
Interesting thing is that while FIFA and the OC are distancing themselves from the incident the SA police thought it fit to inform the two organizations in the wake of the stampede.
The Makhulong Stadium was actually booked by the Nigerian Football Federation for their friendly against North Korea. The NFF claimed that it was one of the few venues not controlled by FIFA. However this is not the case. In fact, the stadium was booked because Tembisa area is home to most of the Nigerians settled in SA. So here we have three organizations passing off the blame. One or all of them are not telling it like it is.
One comment on “FIFA and the OC wash their hands of fan stampede”
I think FIFA is correct here, that stadium security is a site issue independent of them. NFF contracted for security and it’s their fault, FIFA had nothing to do with it and it is entirely understandable they want the media not to lay it in their laps with the games about to begin.