A breakdown of law and order during a football match in Nerekore, Guinea has left over 52 persons dead at the weekend.
The match played at the Stade du 3 Avril between Nerekore and Labe towns was in honour of Guinea President Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in September 2021.
Pandemonium broke out when the referee sent off two players of the visiting team Labe and also awarded a penalty against them. Police had used tear gas after supporters of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones towards the pitch in anger at the referee. Local reports say the death toll could be much higher.
Prime Minister Oury Bah said in a statement, an inquiry has been launched to find those responsible, calling the events “tragic” and offering his condolences to the bereaved.
The Guinea Football Federation Feguifoot, said it was a moment of “intense pain” and adding that football is meant to “unite hearts and bring minds closer” not cause “tragedy and grief”.
Guinea is not new to stadium tragedies. In 2009 more than 150 people were killed at a stadium in the capital city of Conakry after security forces dispersed a rally by the opposition.
