Wubi News

Dozens killed in crush at Guinea football match - reports

2024-12-02 14:00:01

At least 56 people have been killed in a crush at a football match in Guinea's second-largest city, Nzérékoré, the government says.

Some reports indicate that events unravelled following a contested decision by the referee, who sent off two players from the visiting team, Labé, and awarded a controversial penalty kick.

An inquiry is being launched to find those responsible, Prime Minister Oury Bah said in a statement, calling the events "tragic" and offering his condolences to the bereaved.

One doctor, who did not want to be named, told AFP news agency there were "bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital".

People fled the site in search of safety

Sunday's match was part of a tournament in honour of President Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in September 2021.

Similar football tournaments in honour of the junta leader have been organised in other parts of the country, with the opposition condemning it as a ploy to support a possible candidacy of Doumbouya during upcoming elections.

On Monday, the opposition group National Alliance for Change and Democracy said the authorities have "significant responsibility for these grave events".

The government has not responded to this allegation.

In recent months there has been increased scrutiny of powerful figures in Guinean football.

In July, Aboubacar Sampil, who is president of the country’s football body Feguifoot, became the subject of an investigation into corruption and violence in football.

A junior colleague accused Mr Sampil, who also leads the board of directors for local team ASK, of facilitating violence and trying to influence referees at a match that ASK was losing 0-1 to Milo FC.

The latter team had to abandon the game and had trouble leaving the ground safely, according to documents filed to Feguifoot’s ethics body.

Among other things, Mr Sampil has also been accused of bypassing protocol and unliterally appointing people to jobs.

He has always denied any wrongdoing.

Additional reporting by Armand Mouko, Paul Njie and Richard Irvine-Brown