FIFA makes donation to stadium disaster victims

FIFA makes donation to stadium disaster victims
(FIFA.com) Thursday 5 August 2010
Print
Email my friend
Share

FIFA has made a donation of USD 150,000 to the victims of a stampede at a match between Côte d’Ivoire and Malawi at the Stade Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan in March last year. The disaster left 20 people dead and 130 injured.

A ceremony was held this Tuesday at the headquarters of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) in Abidjan, with the parents of the deceased each receiving a donation of USD 6,250 from FIFA.

“As a gesture of solidarity FIFA would like to empathize with the grief of the victims of this terrible accident, which has plunged entire families into mourning,” said Kablan Sampon, FIFA’s Head of Development for West Africa.
As a gesture of solidarity FIFA would like to empathize with the grief of the victims of this terrible accident.
Kablan Sampon, FIFA's head of development for West Africa

World football’s governing body also awarded USD 5,200 to a young man handicapped for life as a result of the disaster, with FIFA vice-president and AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammam also handing over a total of USD 20,800 to help him find specially adapted accommodation.

Victims suffering less severe injuries each received a payment of USD 156. “This is merely a donation,” said FIF President Jacques Anouma. “It is nothing more than that because nothing can ever take away the pain. I sincerely hope that 29 March 2009 is a date that will never be forgotten.”

The Ivorian FA and the national government have already made compensation payments to the victims of the tragedy.