FIFA insists it’s not to blame for stampede

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.

Thousands of soccer fans stampeded outside the stadium in a frenzy to see the game.

One fan at the scene, wearing a South Africa rugby jersey and bleeding from the head, said the rampaging crowd overpowered him. “I fell down and people just fell over me,” Japhta Mombelo said. “That crowd is overpowering. The police have told me to stay around and they will organise an ambulance but I am still waiting.”