The clashes took place at the Kanjuruhan stadium in the city of Malang in East Java, when around 3,000 of Arema’s home supporters stormed the field. Arema and Persebaya Surabaya are the two top clubs in the top division and they are fierce rivals. The police had previously feared a riot. A total of 174 contributors died. Most of them must have been completely trampled in the crowd and panic. In addition, two policemen lost their lives. The riot police used tear gas, which caused panic among the public. Photo: Yudha Prabowo / AP On Saturday morning, the international football association Fifa spoke with the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI), reports Reuters. Fifa has requested a report on the fatal incident, says PSSI general secretary Yunus Nusi. Fired tear gas Riot police fired tear gas to end the riots. The smoke gave many supporters breathing problems and they fainted. This increased the panic in the crowd. In panic, hundreds of people ran towards an exit gate in an attempt to avoid the tear gas. Several were suffocated in the crowd, and others were trampled. Outside the stadium, the noise continued and a large number of cars were set on fire. Burning police cars outside the stadium. Photo: Yudha Prabowo / AP Rival clubs – Around 180 people are still being treated in hospital, police chief Nico Afinta said at a press conference, according to the state-run Indonesian news agency Antara. More than 300 were taken to hospital, but several died en route or after admission. The police chief said that they had suggested that only Arema supporters be present at the match, due to fierce rivalry between the two clubs’ supporters. Around 3,000 out of a total of 40,000 supporters are said to have come out on the field, and ten police cars were vandalised, according to Afinta. The match between Arema and Persebaya Surabaya still 2-3. Two policemen died and ten police cars were vandalized during the riots. Photo: Yudha Prabowo / AP Halting matches The Indonesian football association PSSI set up a group to investigate the incident. – We regret the actions of the Arema supporters at the Kanjuruhan stadium, says federation chief Mochamad Iriawan in a statement on Sunday. Matches in the Indonesian Liga 1 have been suspended for one week as a result of the incident, and Arema will not be allowed to play any more home matches this season. At least 129 people died in the violent riots. Many are still in hospital. Photo: Yudha Prabowo / AP To be investigated The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, on Sunday morning ordered a halt in all League 1 matches until an investigation into security during football matches has been completed.
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