Ivorian football official faces rap for deadly stampede

An Ivorian football official and three security men will be prosecuted for manslaughter following a March stampede at Abidjan’s main stadium in which 20 people died, the public prosecutor said Friday.

Albert Kacou Anzouan, chairman of the national football federation (FIF)’s competitions organising committee, will be tried alongside three security officers, Raymond Tchimou said.

Last month Anzouan was released from police questioning in connection to the stampede together with FIF acting head Ardiouma Kone and federation chief accountant Jean-Baptiste Beugre.

The fatal stampede on March 29 also left more than 130 people injured.

Fans, desperate for a rare chance to see football idols who normally play for European clubs, forced their way through the gates of the 35,000 capacity stadium and tumbled down the steps of the terracing inside to be crushed by those behind.

Many of the supporters had tickets and were angry at being refused entry, witnesses said, accusing the security forces of taking bribes to let many ticketless people into the match.