AFCON 2021 Stampede: CAF cancels venue, orders probe
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday called for an instant probe into a crush at an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match on Monday in Cameroon.
At least eight people died after a stampede occurred at the stadium where hosts Cameroon were to host surprise qualifier Comoros.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe told reporters that an investigation was needed, and a first report would be submitted on Friday.
He also stated that a quarter-final on Sunday would be moved from Stade d’Olembe, where the stampede happened, to another venue in Yaounde, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium.
“There is no excuse for what has happened. We must show responsibility when people lose their lives and are injured,” Motsepe said. “We will have very tough and very hard discussions behind closed doors, and I’m confident because of the discussions I had this morning.”
Reports said that apart from fans killed, 38 people were injured when many tried to enter the stadium.
They said 50,000 people wanted to attend the game, with only 48,000 allowed in owing to coronavirus regulations.
Witnesses said the stampede occurred when stewards closed a gate to the arena where Cameroon won 2-1 against Comoros.
“I went to see where the people lost their lives, and you see it’s a gate. That gate was supposed to be open. Because if it was open, they would have walked through, and it was closed for inexplicable reasons,” added Motsepe.
He explained that many were close to the stadium without tickets and that thousands more than anticipated were at the stadium.
“What happened in terms of the proximity of people being allowed to the stadium in a manner that is not properly coordinated and governed will never happen again,” the CAF official assured.
World governing body FIFA said it “sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the tragic incident.”
(dpa/NAN)
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