Indonesia is set to pull down and rebuild the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang where a mishap left 131 football fans dead
Earlier this month, the unfortunate incident in Indonesia left at least 131 football fans dead and a hundred others hurt in a stampede, had shocked the world. The nation has now decided to demolish the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, where the mishap had occurred, and rebuild it as per the safety standards set by football governing body FIFA.
President Joko Widodo, who has taken serious note of the mishap, has said that the country needs to thoroughly transform how it managed the sport. According to a report, the statement came after Widodo met with the FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
The development assumes utmost significance owing to the fact that Indonesia is gearing up to host the 2023 under-20 World Cup. Post meeting, the two dignitaries agreed on giving shape to a joint task force ahead of the under-20 World Cup.
To be rebuild as per FIFA safety standards
FIFA is of the opinion that it has become a must that that fans who would throng the venues where the under-20 World Cup matches are played would have to be provided with all safety requirements. With Indonesia being a football crazy nation, the authorities will make sure that the fans in the country would get to watch the matches in complete safety environs.
The call to ensure an environment of safety at its stadiums came after fans were victims of an unfortunate stampede as they were leaving the Kanjuruhan stadium on October 1. The day was when the home side Arema FC was defeated by Persebaya Surabaya team. The fatal incident has brought criminal charges against six people, including police officers and organisers
Indonesia mishap among world’s worst stadium disasters
The Kanjuruhan stadium mishap of October 1 is being termed as one of the world’s worst stadium disasters. The officials are being charged with criminal negligence causing death. They are likely to be awarded at least five years of imprisonment.
It has been reported that a probe initiated into the accident attributed the whole episode to the police firing tear gas into the stands as a crowd control measure. It needs to be noted here that the FIFA had earlier banned deployment of tear gas to control crowds.
This apart, the stadium was full beyond capacity and also exit doors had been locked. All these contributed to the intensity of the mishap. The investigation team has also been seeking the resignation of the Indonesian Football Association’s board by accepting responsibility to the incident.