FIFA shrugs off stampede

Johannesburg - FIFA says it doesn't fear a repeat of Sunday's stampede during a World Cup warm-up match between Nigeria and North Korea at the Makhulong Stadium near Johannesburg. Fifteen people were injured.

The match was stopped for about five minutes early in the second half because of the injuries and safety of the fans in the overcrowded main stand where the fencing had been removed.

FIFA said it had nothing to do with the ticketing of this game.

"FIFA would like to reiterate that this friendly match has no relation whatsoever with the operational organisation of the 2010 World Cup, for which we remain fully confident," the statement read.

Police spokesperson Eugene Opperman said 14 people were slightly injured and one policeman seriously injured.

He said the stampede started when too many fans had obtained free tickets for the match and stormed the entrance to the stadium.

Hundreds of mostly Nigerian fans pushed the gate onto the policeman in their effort to enter the 10 000-seater stadium to watch the match.

Fake tickets

"He was crushed by the gates as people stormed them, trying to get in," another police official at the scene told Reuters.

He said many of the fans had what appeared to be just photocopies of the tickets.

Among those injured were two children, according to a Reuters witness.

Some 500 fans remained in the area around the stadium for some time after the stampede before dispersing peacefully.

Inside the stadium there were still many empty seats as the match was not sold out.

"Nobody can be blamed for this. We did not have any choice of an alternate bigger venue," Nigerian Football Federation board member Taiwo Ogunjobi said.

"We are just thankful nobody died. The tickets were free and too many people wanted to get in." The stadium in the Johannesburg suburb will not host any World Cup matches.

There was no immediate word on the policeman's condition.

Nigeria won the match 3-1.