FIFA CLAIM its ticketing policy is the right one, insisting that sales or distribution of tickets should “never” be done at a stadium on a matchday to avoid scenes like the one at the Makhulong Stadium on Sunday.

The Nigeria Football Federation say they were left with “no choice” over the venue for their friendly against North Korea at which a stampede left 16 people injured.

FIFA says it is not to blame for a stampede that occurred outside a stadium in Johannesburg yesterday where World Cup finalists Nigeria and North Korea were wrapping up their preparations for the competition as safety fears grew just days ahead of the start of the tournament.

At least 14 people have been injured after a stampede at a pre-World Cup friendly between Nigeria and North Korea in a Johannesburg township, South Africa police have confirmed.