US Ouakam suspended, sanctions in view

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As a result of the wall of the Demba Diop stadium in Dakar, Senegal which collapsed on Saturday killing eight people and injuring almost 100 other spectators, US Ouakam have been suspended by Senegal’s Football Federation (FSF).

The fallen wall

US Ouakam are temporarily suspended,” the FSF said in a statement.

The FSF’s disciplinary committee will decide on sanctions against Ouakam shortly, it added.

With the score 1-1 after 90 minutes, Mbour took a goal in the first period of extra time to win 2-1, and violence broke out between fans of Stade de Mbour and Union Sportive Ouakam  causing the police to respond with tear gas ensuing a stampede.

Nearly as Ouakam fans clashed with those of rivals Stade de Mbour during Saturday’s League Cup final.

The country has suspended all sporting and cultural events for the rest of the month.

During the clashes, home fans threw projectiles including stones at others. Pictures circulating online appear to show people scrambling over a low wall amid clouds of gas.

Passions were high at the game, the League Cup final.

Cheikh Maba Diop, whose friend died in the incident and who helped move people out of the stadium, told AFP news agency: “All of a sudden when the wall fell… we knew exactly that some of our own had lost their lives because the wall fell directly on to people.”

A spokesman for President Macky Sall said campaigning for upcoming elections would be suspended on Sunday as a mark of respect, and that there should be “punishments serving as a warning”.

There are also suggestions that the stadium itself was in a poor state of repair, BBC Africa reporter James Copnall says.

The AFP news agency said multiple witnesses reported seeing Ouakam fans throw stones and other objects at the Mbour supporters.

“My thoughts with those who lost loved ones or were injured during (the) tragic stampede at Demba Diop Stadium. Heartfelt condolences,” tweeted Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura, who is Senegalese.

While US Ouakam – the 2011 Senegalese champions – hail from Dakar, Stade de Mbour are based 80km (50 miles) further south.

On Sunday, Senegal’s government announced an inquiry into the disaster while suspending all sports and cultural events until political elections take place at the end of the month.

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