Senegal suspends sports and cultural events

Sports and cultural activities have been suspended in Senegal following a stampede at a stadium in which 8 people were killed.

According to President Macky Sall’s spokesperson, Seydou Gueye, events will resume in a month – after election campaigns.

The tragedy occured when Stade de Mbour and Union Sportive Ouakam fans clashed during the Senegalese Football League final game at Demba Diop stadium in Dakar.

BREAK: Senegal stadium stampede kills 8, scores injured. Riots broke in League cup match btn Mbour FC and rivals Uso FC. pic.twitter.com/qpATgAr2sO

— Sports Obama (@SaddickAdams) July 15, 2017

Senegal: African country puts sporting events on hold https://t.co/J5clPLwvYy pic.twitter.com/aHUOGHwSao

— Pulse Sports (@PulseSports247) July 17, 2017

“It’s a shame that this is the kind of final that we bring here, in such a stage a final is prepared. What do you tell the victims, that the stadium was filled?”, a fan said.

Senegal has already been criticised for violence including the deaths of dozens during religious demonstrations in April.
Campaigns for upcoming elections were suspended on Sunday to pay tribute to the Demba Diop victims.

Reuters