Sports
Over 120 fans die in Indonesia football stampede
At least 129 people have died in a stampede at an Indonesian football match, officials say, in one of the world’s worst stadium disasters.
The stampede happened after police tear-gassed rioting supporters.
About 180 were injured in the crush after Arema FC lost to bitter rivals Persebaya Surabaya in East Java.
The country’s chief security minister said that the number of spectators exceeded the stadium’s capacity by around 4,000 people.
President Joko Widodo has ordered that all matches in Indonesia’s top league must be stopped until an investigation has been concluded.
Videos show fans running on to the pitch after the final whistle.
Police then fired tear gas, leading to a crowd stampede and cases of suffocation, said Nico Afinta, police chief in East Java.
“It had gotten anarchic. They started attacking officers, they damaged cars,” he said, adding that two police officers were among the dead.
“We would like to convey that… not all of them were anarchic. Only about 3,000 who entered the pitch,” he said.
Fleeing fans “went out to one point at the exit. Then there was a build-up, in the process of accumulation there was shortness of breath, lack of oxygen”, he added.
Videos on social media show fans clambering over fences to escape. Separate videos appear to show lifeless bodies on the floor.
FIFA, the world’s governing football body, states that no “crowd control gas” should be carried or used by stewards or police at matches.
The Indonesian football association (PSSI) said it had launched an investigation, adding that the incident had “tarnished the face of Indonesian football”.
Violence at football matches is not new in Indonesia, and Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya are long-time rivals.
Persebaya Surabaya fans were banned from buying tickets for the game because of fears of clashes.
But Chief Security Minister Mahfud MD posted on Instagram that 42,000 tickets had been sold for the match at the Kanjuruhan stadium, which has a capacity of 38,000.
President Widodo called for this to be the “last soccer tragedy in the nation” after ordering that all Liga 1 games should be paused pending an investigation.
Sports
Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool
Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new two years contract that has now put an end to the questions about his future after months of speculation.
The 33-year-old Dutch center-back had been inside the final season of his previous deal, which was due to expire in the summer of 2025. But he has now penned an extension seven years after arriving from Southampton in a $95m (£75m/€90m) switch.
Van Dijk, who was named Liverpool captain when Jordan Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023, has played almost 300 games for the Reds.
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He has already won the Premier League and the Champions League.
Van Dijk always wanted to remain on Merseyside. “My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else,” he told reporters including from Liverpool.com in October.
“What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see. I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun.
“Discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it’s time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys [the media] will know it as well. But now full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see.”
Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool
Sports
Arsenal stun Real Madrid to reach first UCL semi-final in 16 years
Arsenal stun Real Madrid to reach first UCL semi-final in 16 years
Arsenal pulled off a historic victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate, to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009.
Mikel Arteta’s men delivered a composed and clinical performance in the Spanish capital. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the second half, redeeming himself after missing an earlier penalty. Vinícius Júnior responded with a goal for Madrid, offering the hosts a glimmer of hope.
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But Gabriel Martinelli sealed the deal with a late winner, ensuring Arsenal ended Real Madrid’s hopes of defending their title.
The Gunners now advance to face Paris Saint-Germain in what promises to be a thrilling semi-final clash.
Arsenal stun Real Madrid to reach first UCL semi-final in 16 years
Sports
U-20 AFCON: Nigeria drawn in Group B with Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya
U-20 AFCON: Nigeria drawn in Group B with Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Kenya, and Morocco for the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
The new groupings were announced on Sunday following a fresh draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt.
This comes after Cote d’Ivoire withdrew as hosts, prompting Egypt to step in as the new venue for the tournament.
The seven-time champions, Nigeria, will kick off their campaign against Tunisia on Sunday, April 28.
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Group A features host nation Egypt, along with South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Tanzania.
Defending champions Senegal will compete in Group C, where they face the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ghana.
The tournament officially begins on Saturday, April 27, with the hosts Egypt squaring off against South Africa in the opening fixture.
U-20 AFCON: Nigeria drawn in Group B with Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya
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