This was announced by Prime Minister Joko Widodo in Jakarta on Tuesday. The country is still planning next year’s U20 World Cup. This requires ten state-of-the-art stadiums and smooth and seamless operations, said FIFA President Gianni Infantino after a meeting with Widodo, also on Tuesday.
A stampede broke out at Malang city’s Kanjuruhan Stadium on October 2 after the Arema FC-Persebaya FC Premier League match as fans rushed onto the field and the police used violence and tear gas against them. More than 130 people – including 37 children – died as thousands tried to reach the emergency exits. Hundreds of spectators were also injured.
Infantino announced that the world football association wanted to set up an office in the Southeast Asian country. This is to oversee efforts to make changes in Indonesian football after the incident. The reforms would focus on stadium operations, fan behavior and infrastructure, he said. “We have agreed to fundamentally change Indonesian football,” said Widodo.
An independent commission of inquiry had concluded that tear gas used by the police was responsible for the stampede. In her report presented on Friday, she called for criminal investigations into the actions of the security forces. According to the police, six people have been charged with criminal negligence so far.
Source: Nachrichten
