FIFA asking for answers - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Kenya

FIFA asking for answers

NAIROBI, October 25 – FIFA on Monday asked Football Kenya Limited (FKL) to explain the circumstances that led to the deadly fan stampede at a league match between two top clubs in Nairobi at the weekend, officials said.

Seven fans were killed in the tragedy after the crowd scrambled to enter the Nyayo National stadium to watch the match between traditional rivals, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia on Saturday night.

FIFA’s demand for a report comes after Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga ordered a seven-day investigation into the stampede.

FKL secretary Titus Kasuve placed the blame on the two clubs who organised the league fixture.

"FIFA has asked for an explanation from us. But the two clubs must tell us clearly what happened because they were the ones in charge of organising the match," said Kasuve.

But Kenya Premier League (KPL) officials and the hosting club, Gor Mahia, denied any laxity on pre-match safety measures at the stadium where in 2005 one fan died and several people were injured during a World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Morocco.

"The KPL is concerned with the circumstances under which football fans of Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards died or were injured on Saturday.

"We will fully cooperate in the fact-finding inquiry to establish the truth," KPL chairman, Elly Kalekwa, told a news conference.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

"It is sad that this had to happen when fans were beginning to return to the stadium. This was our biggest turn-out of the season," he added.

An official in charge of match tickets said only 16,000 tickets were sold for the match. The stadium has a sitting capacity of 35,000 people.

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved