AT LEAST 125 FOOTBALL FANS DIED DURING MASSIVE RIOT THAT BROKE OUT AT MATCH IN INDONESIA

BY P. VILLENEUVE

At least 125 football fans have been confirmed dead after a massive riot broke out at a match on Saturday at the end of the match in Malang, East Java, Indonesia, where Arema FC lost 3-2 to Persebaya Surabaya.

Many of the onlookers were trampled to death after police fired tear gas at fans who stormed the pitch and threw bottles at the footballers and officials following the game result.

Despite local authorities using the chemical weapon at the event, tear gas is actually banned at football stadiums by FIFA. Some were suffocated by the gas, while others were trampled as hundreds of fans ran towards the exit in an attempt to escape the overwhelming chemicals.

Nico Afinta, the police chief for East Java, has warned that the death toll is likely to increase. Over 300 who were injured in the events were taken to hospital, but many died on the way or during treatment, according to the police chief. Afinta said:

"We have already done a preventive action before finally firing the tear gas as (fans) began to attack the police, acting anarchically and burning vehicles."

Meanwhile, PSSI, Indonesia's football association has since suspended the Premier League permanently in light of the tragic event, as well as banning Arema from hosting matches for the remainder of the season.

Indonesian president Joko Widodo has also ordered the sports minister, national police chief and the chairman of the PSSI to conduct a full investigation into the events of the match and how the security was handled.

Credit: LadBible