List of Worst Football Tragedy in World History

VIVA – Not long ago, there was the second worst tragedy in the world of football, namely the Kanjuruhan Stadium Tragedy, Malang, East Java, Indonesia. This tragedy occurred on Saturday, October 1, 2022. Football should be entertainment for people, but this tragedy becomes a deep sorrow for the world.

It turns out that, throughout the history of the world, football matches have often experienced the worst and saddest tragedies that caused chaos, injured people, and deaths. Here’s complete information about the worst football tragedy in world history, as quoted from various sources.

1. The Hillsborough Tragedy

On April 15, 1989, there was the worst tragedy during the Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest match in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Hillsborough Stadium. At that time, supporters filled and crowded the match area, which caused 96 Liverpool supporters to die, and 766 spectators to be injured.

As quoted from the BBC, Duckenfield, who was a police officer at that time, had the responsibility to secure the stadium. He admitted his mistake in closing the tunnel in the stadium, which caused 96 people to die. He was also temporarily suspended after the incident.

Not only that but the error was also caused by the omission of The Sun media coverage until the boycott of The Sun.

2. Heysel Tragedy

The Heysel tragedy was an unfortunate incident during the Champions League Final match between Liverpool and Juventus at the Heysel Stadium, Brussels, Belgium, on May 29, 1985.

At that time there were supporters from Liverpool who went to the Juventus stands after being free from each other. The walls of the stands could not withstand the weight of the Liverpool fans, so hundreds of people were crushed by the falling walls. As a result, 39 people died and 600 people were injured.

3. The City of Bradford Fire Disaster

A fire broke out during a match between Bradford City and Lincoln City on May 11. Out of the Tribune and the problem is in the main stand which has a wooden roof and holes in the stands.

This incident left 56 people dead and 265 injured that day. Even after a long period, the Bradford City stadium fire remains the biggest fire disaster in England football.

4. Munich Air Disaster

In 1958, Manchester United beat Red Star Belgrade and made it to the semi-finals of the European Cup. The next day they flew back to Manchester.

The plane landed in Munich to refuel. After refueling, the pilot attempted to take off but failed due to an engine problem. He tried a third time, but because of the snow, the plane skidded. Shortly after, the plane caught fire.

Twenty passengers died immediately, with three dying later in hospital. Eight Manchester United players died in the tragedy including Duncan Edwards. 15 days later he died in hospital.

5. Chapecoense Plane Tragedy

Chapecoense tore apart by a plane crash in Colombia. Of the 77 people, only six survived the crash. The Brazilian club headed to Medellin to play the South American Cup final. It was the biggest match in their history.

The plane ran out of fuel. The plane crashed in a mountainous area, about 50 kilometers from its destination. 19 players and coaching staff were killed. Only three players survived the crash.

6. National Stadium Disaster

The National disaster was the worst in the history of football. It was an Olympic qualifying match between Peru and Argentina held at the National Stadium in Lima. The referee annulled Peru's goal. Anger made fans protest. Then the police fired tear gas and brutally beat the crowd.

People panicked and tried to leave the stadium. Instead of gates, there are still shutters and those are used to stay closed during the game. But due to panic, the fans didn't notice and they continued to run toward the window. They pushed the mob leading to the deaths of 328 people.

7. The Death of Andre Escobar

Andre Escobar is a Colombian defender. Escobar is known as the man on the pitch for his outstanding human qualities. Escobar was killed for his own goal, which gave the US a 1-0 lead. The US went on to win the game, 2-1.

The defeat stopped Colombia from qualifying for the 1994 World Cup knockout stages. For that unfortunate own goal, Escobar was shot six times and left to die. Following the Colombian elimination, he wrote a statement that appeared in El Tiempo.

"Life doesn't end here. We have to keep going. Life can't end here. No matter how hard it gets, we have to get back up. We have only two choices: let anger paralyze us and the violence continues, or we cope and try our best. to help others. It's our choice. Let's maintain respect. My warmest regards to everyone. This is the most amazing and rare experience. We will meet again soon because life doesn't end here." Andre Escobar said.

8. Disaster of Kathmandu Stadium

The next tragedy occurred on March 12, 1988, at the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal. 80 people lost their lives in a panic trying to escape a massive ice storm during a local match. The crowd attempted to exit the stadium through a tunnel on the south terrace but caused a stampede and fatal crash.

 9. Kolkata Derby Stampede

A stampede during the Kolkata derby match between Mohan Bagan and East Bengal resulted in the deaths of 16 people at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Until now, this becomes the biggest football tragedy in India.

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1 Agustus 2024