The end of the domestic league season was marred by tragedy when a wall and a gate collapsed at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa
The head of African football has offered his condolences to the families of 15 fans killed on Sunday amid a stampede during AS Vita’s season-ending match against TP Mazembe in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou expressed the continental governing body’s “deep sadness” at the events at the Tata Raphael Stadium in Kinshasa and has called upon the Congolese football federation to give a full report on the incident.
“I would like to express my deepest sympathy on hearing of the untimely deaths of at least 15 people during the match of AS Vita and TP Mazembe,” Hayatou told CAFOnline.
“Personally, and on behalf of the members of the African football community, I should be grateful if you could extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved ones.
“Further, we wish those that have been reported injured and receiving medical assistance a full recovery.”
The stampede took place during injury-time with Mazembe leading 1-0, with a wall and gate collapsing under the weight of bodies. Fans of AS Vita had earlier launched objects onto the field of play, with police responding by releasing tear gas into the stands.
The governor of Kinshasa has moved quickly to set up a commission looking into the tragedy, but Hayatou has taken the opportunity to speak of Caf’s resistance to violence in the game.
“I wish to re-emphasise that any acts of violence have no place in football. They must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and I urge the Fecofa (Congolese FA) and authorities in the DRC to thoroughly investigate this matter.”
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