Explained | What's behind Indonesia's deadly soccer match?
The Hindu
In what appeared to be one of the worst sports disasters, police said at least 174 people died, including children and two police officers
Violence and a deadly stampede that erupted following a domestic league soccer match Saturday night marked another tragedy in Indonesian football. Here's a look at how the chaos occurred and what is being done to prevent future incidents.
Chaos broke out after Persebaya Surabaya defeated rival Arema Malang 3-2 in Saturday night's match in East Java's province Malang city. Police said there were some 42,000 spectators in the stadium, all of whom were Arema's supporters because the organiser had banned Persebaya fans in an effort to avoid brawls.
But a disappointing loss by Arema — the first match lost to rival Persebaya at its home stadium — prompted angry spectators to pour into the field after the match to demand answers. Fans threw bottles and other objects at players and soccer officials and rioting spread outside the stadium, where at least five police cars were toppled and set ablaze and others damaged. Riot police responded with tear gas, which is banned at soccer stadiums by FIFA. But it sparked panic.
Hundreds of spectators rushed to an exit gate to avoid the tear gas, resulting in a stampede that trampled or suffocated 34 to death almost instantly, with many more deaths to follow due to injuries.
In what appeared to be one of the worst sports disasters, police said at least 174 people died, including children and two police officers, most of whom were trampled upon.
More than 100 people were injured. Police said the death toll is likely to rise more with multiple people in critical condition.
Data from an Indonesian football watchdog organisation, Save Our Soccer, said that at least 86 Indonesian soccer supporters died since 1995 related to supporting their club during the match. Most of them died because of the fights between fans.
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