Senegal: Football matches on hold after fatal stampede

By Alpha Kamara

DAKAR, Senegal (AA) - Senegal has suspended all national football competitions following the weekend stadium disaster in Dakar that left eight dead and eighty-eight injured, Sports Minister Matar Ba announced Monday.

President Macky Sall also promised firm punishment to those responsible for the deadly incident.

“The death of eight of our nationals under these circumstances is unfortunate. I want to extend my condolences to the families of the victims. Even as I condemn violence in all its forms, I have ordered the opening of a rigorous investigation to identify those responsible,” Sall said Sunday night.

Eight people were killed on Saturday in a stampede at the Demba Diop Atadium in the capital Dakar during a match between two local teams.

When a fight broke out between fans of rival teams US Ouakam and Stade de Mbour, police fired tear gas to calm the situation. That resulted in the confusion triggering the stampede, Ba told reporters.

Saer Cheikh, the head of Senegal’s Sports Association, told reporters that the victims of the incident will be compensated while those wounded are being treated.