April 12 – The rematch of an Indonesian club fixture that ended in one of the world’s worst stadium disasters was played on Tuesday behind closed doors.
Last October, 135 people died in a crush following a match between fierce rivals Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Arema’s Kanjuruhan Stadium.
Many perished in a deadly stampede as they fled for the exits after police fired tear gas into the crowd – a control measure banned by FIFA.
Tuesday’s rematch took place in front of a handful of media personnel, club officials and security guards though hundreds of police officers were seen on guard outside the stadium.
Persebaya won 1-0 after Arema missed a last-gasp penalty though Arema coach Joko Susilo said some of his team did not play because of the mental impact of the previous fixture.
“We know some of the players were deeply traumatized,” he said.
Two club officials were jailed last month after Arema was found guilty of criminal negligence causing death. Another three people have been charged over the incident.
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