SYDNEY, Australia – Several people were killed on Saturday night after a professional soccer match in Malang, Indonesia sparked riots at the stadium and tear gas was fired into packed crowds by police, officials said. the league and local news.
The match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya was held at Kanjuruhan Stadium. After Arema lost 3-2 at home, dozens of fans rushed onto the pitch.
The Times of Indonesia reported that security guards attempted to keep the crowd at bay by hitting and kicking supporters. As fighting broke out, authorities fired bursts of tear gas onto the pitch and into the stands. Video from the scene showed fans fleeing clouds of tear gas on the pitch. Local media said thousands of fans struggled to breathe and several eventually passed out.
League officials said the riots left several dead, but it was not immediately clear how many. Initial reports from the stadium estimated that there had been dozens of fatalities, but this could not be independently confirmed.
The league immediately suspended play for at least a week.
“We are concerned and deeply regret this incident,” said Akhmad Hadian Lukita, CEO of PT Liga Indonesia Baru, known as LIB. “We share our condolences and hope this will be a valuable lesson for all of us.”
Football violence has long been a problem for Indonesia. Violent, often deadly, rivalries between major teams are common. Some teams even have fan clubs with so-called commanders, who lead armies of fans at matches across Indonesia. Flares are often thrown onto the pitch and riot police are regularly present at many matches.
Since the 1990s, dozens of fans have been killed in football-related violence. After Saturday’s game, those numbers will increase again.