The football world and the world at large have been thrown into great mourning following a great tragedy in an Indonesian football stadium.
According to reports, at least 174 football fans died and 180 more injured after chaos and violence erupted on Saturday night following an Indonesian league soccer match between two of the country’s biggest teams.
East Java police chief Nico Afinta said this during a press conference following the incident, CNN reports.
Fans of Arema FC and rival Persebaya Surabaya had clashed after home team Arema was defeated 3-2 at a match in the city of Malang in East Java.
The supporters from the losing team had “invaded” the pitch and police fired tear gas, triggering a stampede which led to cases of suffocation.
Reacting to the development, Manchester United in a tweet via its Twitter handle on Sunday morning, wrote: “Manchester United is deeply saddened by the tragedy in Malang, Indonesia. We send our sincere condolences to the victims, their families, and everyone affected.”
Similarly, Manchester City tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic events at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Indonesia. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Also, Persebaya’s official Twitter account posted on Saturday evening: “Persebaya’s extended family deeply mourns the loss of life after the Arema FC vs Persebaya match. No single life is worth football. We pray for the victims and may the families left behind be given strength.”
