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FIFA pres expresses sadness over death in Kenyan stadium

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-29 12:16

A victim of a stampede at the Nyayo National Stadium waits for treatment inside a ward at the Kenyatta hospital in Kenya's capital Nairobi, Oct 23, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

NAIROBI - Soccer's world governing body FIFA president Sepp Blatter has expressed sadness on learning of the stampede at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday that left eight fans dead and scores injured at a local premier league fixture.

"I wish to express extreme sorrow and extend our condolences to the Kenyan football community and, most importantly, to family, friends and loved ones following these tragic deaths," said Blatter in a statement on Wednesday.

"I have learned that an investigation is already underway. Everything possible must be done to understand the cause of this terrible incident in order to prevent such a tragic happening at this stadium again," he said.

Football Kenya Limited has banned the use of Nyayo Stadium together with City Stadium from hosting matches and demanded an explanation from the KPL why the match, involving Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, was held at night.

Football Kenya, KPL together with the government have launched separate investigations. Following the stadium ban, KPL has been forced to seek alternative venues for their on going league fixtures.

Saturday's ties involving Sofapaka versus Posta and Mahakama versus Mathare United and Sunday's match ups between KCB and Red Berets and AFC Leopards and Karituri Sports were scheduled for City Stadium.

"We are consulting clubs and will make an announcement on the new venues. The dates remain unchanged but clearly the ban has disorganized our programme," KPL chief officer Jack Oguda said.

Meanwhile, the chairman, Athletics Kenya Isaiah Kiplagat has condemned the banning by Football Kenya Limited of the two stadiums from hosting local matches following the stampede last Saturday.

Kenyan police officers inspect the scene of a stampede at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, Oct 23, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Kiplagat, who also sits on the board of the Sports Stadia Management Board said the decision was ill-timed and will further complicate the shaky state of affairs of football in the country.

"When you close Nyayo Stadium and City Stadium from hosting matches, where will teams play? There is no stadium in Kenya that is safe from incidents like what happened last weekend. Most of the playing grounds in the country do not have system of crowd control should the need arise."

The Nyayo Stadium was the venue for the 17th African Championships in Athletics in August which has been described as one of the most successful sporting events to be staged in the country.

The five-day event drew massive crowds forcing organizers to lock out almost an equal number of spectators on each day of the event.

"We did have any incidents during the championships because security was perfect. Whenever the stadium reached its capacity, all the gates would be closed to avert any tragedy," said the athletics boss.

The league is scheduled to end on Nov 14.