Indonesia to demolish football stadium where stampede killed over 130

JAKARTA

Indonesia will demolish and rebuild a football stadium where a stampede killed more than 130 people this month, President Joko Widodo said on October 18 as he vowed to "thoroughly transform" the sport in the nation.

The President, popularly known as Jokowi, was speaking to reporters at the state palace after meeting Gianni Infantino, head of world football governing body FIFA.

"Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang...we will demolish it and rebuild according to FIFA standards," he said.

The deadly stampede after a league match in the city of Malang on Oct 1 has been blamed on police firing tear gas in the stadium, a crowd control measure banned by FIFA.

The President said he had agreed with Mr. Infantino on significant changes to how the sport was managed in Indonesia.

"We agreed to thoroughly transform Indonesian soccer," he said. "Every aspect of preparation...needs to be based on FIFA standards."

The meeting between Mr. Jokowi and Mr. Infantino comes after Indonesia and FIFA agreed to form a joint task-force in the wake of the stadium tragedy, and as the country prepares to host the Under-20 World Cup next year.