The remainder of the El Salvador league playoffs have been cancelled after a stadium crush left at least 12 dead, the country’s football association has announced.
The incident occurred at the Estadio Cuscatlán on Saturday night, with a quarterfinal second leg between Alianza FC and Club Deportivo FAS called off during the first half amid a crush of fans.
More than 90 people were injured in addition to the fatalities.
Officials believe that the sale of fake tickets and a malfunctioning Wi-Fi system may have contributed to the chaos, which was heightened when a gate to the south zone of the stadium wasn’t opened.
“As the governing body of Salvadoran football, FESFUT, and the organizer of the El Salvador National Championship, Liga Primera Division, we have determined to end the 2022-2023 El Salvador national championship,” a statement from El Salvador’s FA said.
“Our priority will be to ensure that security measures are strengthened at football events. With the support and international advice from FIFA and CONCACAF, we will implement better protocols that provide guarantees for the peace of mind of fans and all involved in these events.”
Earlier this week, Alianza FC was handed a one-year stadium ban and fined $30,000 for its role in the tragedy.
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