Reactions are mounting in the world of football after the disaster that killed at least 125 people during a crowd movement in the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang (Indonesia) when thousands of fans invaded the field on Saturday and were sprayed tear gas by the police. “It is a tragedy beyond imagining,” said the president of the International Football Federation (Fifa) Gianni Infantino. “The football world is in shock after the tragic events in Indonesia,” added the Swiss leader, speaking of “a black day for all those who love football”.
“The RFEF deeply deplores this tragedy and condemns any act of violence, especially when it occurs in a festive context, which a football match should always be”, launches the Spanish football federation. A minute’s silence will be observed in Spanish stadiums ahead of Sunday’s matches in tribute to the victims of the disaster, La Liga have said.
The English Premier League also expresses its emotion: “The thoughts of everyone in the Premier League are with those affected by the tragic events at Kanjuruhan Stadium. Same thing in Italy: “We send our condolences and thoughts to the victims, the families and to all those affected by the tragedy in Malang”, deplores the Italian League. “I am deeply shocked and saddened to learn of such tragic events from Indonesia, a football-loving country,” Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said sadly.
Several players also pay tribute to the victims, such as the Englishman Wayne Rooney: “It is terrible to hear the news of the disaster in the Kanjuhuran stadium in Indonesia yesterday (Saturday) evening. This is very sad news. For his part, the Spanish defender of PSG said: “It’s overwhelming. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims.”
Manchester United also mourns the many victims. “We send our sincere condolences to the victims, their families and all those who have been affected”, thinks the Mancunian club taken over by its neighbor from City: “We are very saddened to learn of the tragic events which occurred at Kanjuruhan Stadium. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
“FC Barcelona is saddened to learn of the tragic events at the Kanjuruhan stadium and rejects any act of violence both on and off the pitch”, cries the Catalan club like PSG, which indicates: “Paris Saint-Germain intends offer its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the stadium tragedy in Malang”.