FIFA order investigation into Abidjan stadium deaths
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
JOHANNESBURG, Mar 30 (Reuters): FIFA have ordered an investigation into a stadium crush in Abidjan in which at least 19 people were killed and a further 132 injured before a World Cup qualifier between Ivory Coast and Malawi Sunday.
A brief statement Monday from world soccer's governing body said FIFA had requested a full report from the Ivorian Football Federation and local authorities to "establish the sequence of events that happened outside the stadium before the match".
"Once this report has been received, FIFA will be in a position to make further comment, as well as continue our efforts to ensure that such tragic circumstances do not happen again," it added.
A brief statement Monday from world soccer's governing body said FIFA had requested a full report from the Ivorian Football Federation and local authorities to "establish the sequence of events that happened outside the stadium before the match".
"Once this report has been received, FIFA will be in a position to make further comment, as well as continue our efforts to ensure that such tragic circumstances do not happen again," it added.