World mourns dead Calabar fans News

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World mourns dead Calabar fans

By George Akpayen on April 22, 2017

Some of the world’s biggest football institutions have expressed grief over the death of about 30 football fans, who lost their lives, in the Nigerian south-southern city of Calabar on Thursday.

World football governing body and Manchester United are among those who sympathised with Nigeria following the tragic event of Thursday night.

The fans had gathered at a viewing centre in Iyang-Esu area of Calabar Municipal Local Government Area to watch the UEFA Europa League game between Manchester United and RSC Anderlecht when a high tension cable broke off from it anchor and fell on the building leading to the electrocution of about 30 people.

FIFA expressed its “deepest condolences to families and friend of the victims.”

“FIFA is deeply saddened by the deaths of several football fans in Calabar & offer our deepest condolences to family & friends of the victims,” FIFA stated.

The 20-time English champions offered their sympathy to families and friends of the deceased after the tragic happening.

“Our thoughts go out to the United fans, their friends and families affected by the tragedy in Calabar, Nigeria, yesterday,” Manchester United stated.

In Nigeria, the country’s president Muhammadu Buhari joined in condoling the families of the dead fans. He described the tragedy as “a big blow” to the country considering the victims were young people.

“I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the mostly young victims whose sudden demise is a big blow not only to their families but also to the football-loving nation,” he said.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also joined in condoling the families of the victims.

“It is with heavy hearts that we received the tragic news of the death of 30 persons at a viewing centre in Calabar while they were watching a UEFA Europa League match on Thursday evening.

“We mourn with the Government of Cross River State, our affiliate the Cross River State Football Association, the good people of Cross River State and the families and friends of the deceased football fans.

“We pray that God Almighty will grant their souls eternal rest and also grant their loved ones and the Government and people of Cross River State the fortitude to bear the big loss.

“We are much pained by this unfortunate incident because football is a game of peace that brings joy and excitement to the whole of humanity,” the NFF general secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said.

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has also stated that it will honour the dead fans during its rearranged game between champions Enugu Rangers and Kano PIllars this Sunday.

“Players of Rangers International and Kano Pillars are to wear black armbands during their rescheduled Matchday 9 fixture in Enugu this Sunday as a mark of respect for the 30 football fans that died in Calabar, Thursday night while watching European football in a commercial viewing centre. The League Management Company (LMC) announced the mark of honour for the deceased and directed players and officials of the two teams to observe a minutes silence before kick-off,” the league body stated on its official website. © supersport.com

•Photo shows fans watching a game in a Nigerian match viewing centre.

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 22, 2017