Indonesian President has announced on Tuesday that the Indonesian football stadium where a stampede claimed over 133 lives would be demolished and rebuilt. The announcement came as FIFA president, Gianni Infantino promised to help "reform and transform" the nation's football.
On Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia along with a host of other sports governing officers in Jakarta, Indonesia to discuss plans for a continued “reformation and transformation” of football in Indonesia following the stampede which recorded at least 133 deaths on October 1.
Following the events of 1 October, plans for a collaborative re-evaluation programme and the formation of taskforce focused on developing safety policies and procedures at football stadiums across the country, formed the key part of all agendas at President Infantino’s meetings in Jakarta.
Speaking after the meeting with President Widodo, who revealed Kanjuruhan Stadium will be demolished and rebuilt to FIFA standards, President Infantino said: “This is a football country, a country where football is a passion for over 150 million people. We owe it to them that when they see a match they are safe and secure.”
Infantino added: “FIFA is here for the Indonesian people – FIFA will stay and work here to transform Indonesian football.”
Fans were caught in a deadly crush as they attempted to exit Kanjuruhan Stadium in East Java province’s Malang city after the defeat of the home side Arema FC by Persebaya Surabaya. Many, including more than 40 minors, were reported died of asphyxiation.
The Indonesian football stadium where the stampede occurred will be demolished and rebuilt, according to President Jokowi. “ “We agreed to thoroughly transform Indonesian soccer,” he added, using another term to describe football.
