
Audio By Carbonatix
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."
Latest Stories
-
Floods kill 18 in Central Region as NADMO orders evacuation of unsafe buildings
11 minutes -
GRA outlines taxpayer rights and obligations under Revenue Administration Act
12 minutes -
Private Security Organisations are not permitted to use firearms – Interior Minister
19 minutes -
DACF: AG justifies payment of public funds into personal accounts of MPs
19 minutes -
Foreign Affairs Ministry pays tribute to late Ambassador Victor Gbeho
22 minutes -
Spain underlines strong commercial partnership with Ghana
31 minutes -
Everyone saw it, nobody stopped it
31 minutes -
Don’t misuse PWDs’ funds—Parliament’s Committee on Local Govt to MMDCEs
36 minutes -
Family of Ambassador Victor Gbeho officially informs Mahama of his death
40 minutes -
Cape Coast MCE orders renewed demolition of buildings on waterways after deadly floods
49 minutes -
GNAFF calls for audit of One District, One Dam project amid renewed rainfall
50 minutes -
Bond market: Turnover declines by 24% to GH¢5.41bn
52 minutes -
Gov’t allocates land for refugee farming under new integration initiative
53 minutes -
Taxpayers must register before fulfilling their tax obligations – GRA
57 minutes -
APSU 2002 Legacy Project: Prof Kofi Abotsi urges alumni to give back as a sacred duty
1 hour