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)
TT

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.



Salah Says He Is ‘More Out than in’ at Liverpool as He Enters Final Months of Contract

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah reacts during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on November 24, 2024. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah reacts during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on November 24, 2024. (AFP)
TT

Salah Says He Is ‘More Out than in’ at Liverpool as He Enters Final Months of Contract

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah reacts during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on November 24, 2024. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah reacts during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on November 24, 2024. (AFP)

Mohamed Salah has raised doubts about his Liverpool future, saying he is yet to be offered an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

Salah spoke out after scoring two goals in Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday and suggested he is more likely to leave than stay with the Premier League leader.

"Well, we are almost in December and I haven’t received any offers yet to stay in the club," he told reporters. "I’m probably more out than in. You know I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands."

Salah's goals saw Liverpool extend its lead at the top of the standings to eight points. The Egypt international is 32 and has been at the club since 2017.

He has scored 12 goals in 18 appearances this season.

Salah gave a rare interview to English print media before boarding the team bus after the Southampton game and expressed his frustration about the lack of progress with his contract.

"I’m not going to retire soon so I’m just playing, focusing on the season and I’m trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I’m disappointed but we will see," he said.

"I’m very professional. Everybody can see my work ethic. I’m just trying to enjoy my football and I will play at the top level as long as possible. I’m just doing my best because this is who I am and I try to give it all for myself and for the club. We will see what happens next."

Salah is Liverpool's all-time leading scorer in the Premier League with 167 goals. In all competitions he has scored 223 goals in 367 appearances.

He has won a full set of trophies with the Merseyside club including the league title and the Champions League.