Football Riots In El Salvador, 9 People Reportedly Died

The rioting tragedy in football took place at the Cuscatlan Stadium, El Salvador, Saturday, May 20 (@eybonluis)

JAKARTA - The tragedy of the riots in football took place at the Cuscatlan Stadium, El Salvador, Saturday, May 20. A total of nine people were reported to have died in a riot that broke out.

The tragedy occurred when the second leg of the Primera Division play-off quarter-final between Alianza and FAS at the Cuscatlan Stadium in the country's capital.

The match was temporarily suspended and National Civil Police confirmed in an initial report that nine victims (seven men and two women) had died. Dozens of other fans were injured in the incident.

Commissioner General of National Civil Police, Mauricio Arriaza Chicas said that the police would cooperate with the attorney general to hold the parties responsible for the tragedy.

"We regret this incident caused death. As a police institution we announce that together with @FGR_SV we will conduct a criminal investigation into tonight's incident," Arriaza Chicas said on his Twitter account.

Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado replied, "What happened today at the Cuscatlan Stadium is a tragedy for everyone. My condolences to Salvadoran fans. @FGR_SV and @PNCSV they are carrying out the necessary procedures to conclude responsibility."

El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, promised to conduct an in-depth investigation into this tragedy. "Everyone will be investigated: teams, directors, stadiums, ticket offices, leagues, federations, etc. Whoever the culprit is, they will not escape punishment," Bukele said.

Video footage of the match on YouTube showed the match was temporarily suspended after panic broke out in one of the stands. The injured were then seen being carried by emergency services on a stretcher.

The El Salvador Football Federation said all national-level football matches on Sunday would be suspended.