December 2 – A match in Guinea’s second-largest city, Nzérékoré, turned deadly as violent clashes led to a stampede, resulting in at least 56 fatalities on Sunday, according to government reports.
The incident has cast a shadow over the local tournament and raised serious concerns about safety and crowd management in Guinean football.
“Protests of dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions led to stone-throwing by supporters, resulting in fatal stampedes,” said a government statement today (Monday).
Guinea’s Prime Minister Bah Oury expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of life caused by the incident and pledged ‘full medical and psychological support’ for the injured.
One doctor, who did not want to be named, told AFP news agency there were “bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital”.
“Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full,” he added.
Local media said police had used tear gas after supporters of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones towards the pitch in anger at the referee.
The incident occurred during a match between Nzérékoré and Labé, part of a football tournament honouring President Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in 2021.
Similar tournaments, organised across the country, have drawn criticism from opposition groups, who view them as efforts to bolster Doumbouya’s potential candidacy in forthcoming elections.
The tragedy has intensified focus on governance within Guinean football, already under scrutiny due to corruption allegations against Aboubacar Sampil, president of the national football association, Feguifoot.
In July, Sampil faced an investigation into corruption and misconduct, including accusations of fostering violence and attempting to influence referees during a controversial ASK match against Milo FC.
Documents submitted to Feguifoot’s ethics committee allege that Milo FC was forced to abandon the match under unsafe conditions. Sampil has also been accused of bypassing established protocols to make unilateral appointments. Despite these claims, Sampil has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The stadium crush and ongoing controversies highlight the challenges facing Guinean football as it grapples with issues of crowd safety, governance, and political interference.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734901017labto1734901017ofdlr1734901017owedi1734901017sni@g1734901017niwe.1734901017yrrah1734901017