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Ivorian jailed for match stampede Ivorian jailed for match stampede
(20 minutes later)
An Ivorian football official has been sentenced to six months in jail for his role in a deadly stadium stampede. An Ivory Coast football official has been sent to jail for six months for printing fake tickets for a match marred by a deadly stadium stampede.
Albert Anzouan Kacou, head of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) match organising committee, was also fined $1,000 for manslaughter and fraud.Albert Anzouan Kacou, head of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) match organising committee, was also fined $1,000 for manslaughter and fraud.
Twenty people died and more than 130 were injured when a wall collapsed at an Abidjan stadium shortly before a World Cup qualifier match in March. Twenty people died when a wall collapsed at an Abidjan stadium shortly before a World Cup qualifier in March.
Another man responsible for ticketing at the match was also sentenced. Thousands of "parallel" tickets were printed, the state prosecutor said.
Fake tickets Faustin Aka, responsible for ticketing at the match, was also given the same sentence.
The state prosecutor blamed fans without tickets for forcing their way into the stadium and also said thousands of unofficial additional tickets had been printed. Star attraction
The state prosecutor primarily blamed the deaths on fans without tickets who forced their way into the stadium.
A reported 36,000 fans tried to cram into the Houphouet-Boigny stadium, which has a capacity for 34,600, to see Ivory Coast beat Malawi 5-0.A reported 36,000 fans tried to cram into the Houphouet-Boigny stadium, which has a capacity for 34,600, to see Ivory Coast beat Malawi 5-0.
The match's big attraction was home-grown football star Didier Drogba, who plays for English Premiership club Chelsea.The match's big attraction was home-grown football star Didier Drogba, who plays for English Premiership club Chelsea.
The big attraction at the game was home-grown hero Didier DrogbaThe big attraction at the game was home-grown hero Didier Drogba
The BBC's John James in Abidjan says in the crush to get into the stadium, the gates gave way and the football fans tumbled down the steep steps that lie directly behind the doors.The BBC's John James in Abidjan says in the crush to get into the stadium, the gates gave way and the football fans tumbled down the steep steps that lie directly behind the doors.
Our reporter says Anzouan Kacou was also found guilty of fraud and theft by the correctional court.Our reporter says Anzouan Kacou was also found guilty of fraud and theft by the correctional court.
The state prosecutor had called for a one-year sentence, reports the AFP news agency.The state prosecutor had called for a one-year sentence, reports the AFP news agency.
Faustin Aka, the printer of the tickets, was given the same sentence and two others from a sub-contractor involved in the printing of tickets were given three-month suspended sentences. Two other people from a sub-contractor involved in the printing of tickets were given three-month suspended sentences.
FIF director general Ardjouma Kone was found not guilty, along with chief accountant Andoh Beugre and three others, AFP reports.FIF director general Ardjouma Kone was found not guilty, along with chief accountant Andoh Beugre and three others, AFP reports.
Three members of the police and security forces will be judged by another court, our reporter says.Three members of the police and security forces will be judged by another court, our reporter says.
On Wednesday, football's world governing body Fifa fined the FIF $47,000 following the enquiry into the stadium tragedy.On Wednesday, football's world governing body Fifa fined the FIF $47,000 following the enquiry into the stadium tragedy.
It imposed a series of safety measures and also announced a donation of $96,000 to a fund set up for the families of the victims.It imposed a series of safety measures and also announced a donation of $96,000 to a fund set up for the families of the victims.
The tragedy in Abidjan was the second such incident during qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.The tragedy in Abidjan was the second such incident during qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In June 2008, at least eight people died in a crush in Liberia as spectators jostled to get into an already overcrowded stadium in Monrovia for the match between Liberia and The Gambia.In June 2008, at least eight people died in a crush in Liberia as spectators jostled to get into an already overcrowded stadium in Monrovia for the match between Liberia and The Gambia.