Internet Desk: A league final match between Honduras Progreso and Motagua in Tegucigalpa, Honduran led to the deaths of at least four fans due to a stampede.
Tickets were reportedly oversold for the 35,000 capacity Estadio Tiburcio Carias Andino, which in turn resulted in a rush of people within the ground. However, this allegation has been dismissed by the Motagua officials.
The club retaliated by saying that “responsible authorities knew immediately that fake tickets were being circulated” which “enabled people to enter the stadium illegally to watch the final between Motagua and El Progreso- people who apparently occupied seats that were not theirs, forcing others to leave the area”.
Motogua eventually won 3-0, resulting in the team lifting the league title after a 7-1 overall collective win. The game also saw widespread use of riot police on supporters.
In a statement Motagua said: “Deepest condolences to the family and friends of the four people who sadly died in the accident at the start of the final” and wished “a speedy recovery to those injured.
“It is important to bear in mind that all the ticket sales are supervised, and in this case approved, by the national commission for sports facilities (Conapid), which is an agency of the Honduras government.
“The club is helping in the investigation into what happened at the stadium, which was under police control – according to the rules – as always 48 hours before any sports event.”