FIFA, Indonesia Vow to Improve Football Safety after Fatal Stampede

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) receives a ball from President of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino during their meeting at Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 October 2022. (EPA)
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) receives a ball from President of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino during their meeting at Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 October 2022. (EPA)
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FIFA, Indonesia Vow to Improve Football Safety after Fatal Stampede

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) receives a ball from President of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino during their meeting at Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 October 2022. (EPA)
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) receives a ball from President of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino during their meeting at Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 18 October 2022. (EPA)

FIFA head Gianni Infantino and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday agreed to re-evaluate safety measures at stadiums across the country, after more than 130 people were killed in a crowd stampede at a match this month.

The head of world football's governing body was in Jakarta to meet President Widodo after Indonesia and FIFA agreed to form a joint taskforce in the wake of the stadium tragedy, and as the Southeast Asian country prepares to host the Under-20 World Cup next year.

Infantino said the first priority in Indonesia would be to reform and transform the country's football, and that football fans were owed safety and security.

The stampede, which followed a match at East Java's Kanjuruhan Stadium on Oct 1, has been blamed on police firing tear gas onto the pitch, a crowd control measure banned by FIFA.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) said last week that Infantino was expected to address a meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20) major economies in Bali this November about Indonesia's readiness to host international events.

Under pressure to explain what caused one of the world's deadliest stadium disasters, a fact-finding team formed by the government released a report last week which concluded that the "excessive" and "indiscriminate" use of tear gas was the leading cause of death.



Atletico's Correa Banned for Five Games after Insulting Referee

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Valencia v Atletico Madrid - Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - February 22, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Pablo Morano/ File Photo
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Valencia v Atletico Madrid - Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - February 22, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Pablo Morano/ File Photo
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Atletico's Correa Banned for Five Games after Insulting Referee

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Valencia v Atletico Madrid - Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - February 22, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Pablo Morano/ File Photo
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Valencia v Atletico Madrid - Estadio de Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - February 22, 2025 Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Pablo Morano/ File Photo

Atletico Madrid forward Angel Correa has been suspended for five games following his insults towards a referee last weekend, Spain's soccer federation (RFEF) said on Wednesday.

The Argentina international saw a straight red card in the 88th minute of their 2-1 loss at Getafe in LaLiga on Sunday for a studs-up tackle on opposition defender Djene, after the incident was reviewed by VAR, Reuters reported.

Correa then repeatedly insulted referee Cuadra Fernandez, who included the forward's remarks in the match report.

The sanction includes a one-match ban for the red card and four for the subsequent insults, the RFEF said.

The 30-year-old will miss Atletico's next five games of the domestic calendar, including LaLiga matches against Barcelona, ​​Espanyol, Sevilla, and Valladolid, as well as the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie against Barca.

Correa has scored seven goals in 38 appearances in all competitions this season.