FIFA donates US$250,000 to victims of Egypt disaster

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

FIFA President Sepp Blatter speaks during a news conference at the end of the extraordinary congress of the CONMEBOL in Luque, near Asuncion, February 5, 2012. REUTERS photo

FIFA is to donate US$250,000 to the families of the victims of last week's Egyptian stadium disaster in which 74 people were killed after violence flared at a soccer match in Port Said between Masry and Cairo-based Ahly, Egypt Independent reports.

"I stated after the tragedy that this day was a black day for football. I'm still very shocked by what happened. Many of the victims were so young," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in a statement.

"They were also a crucial support for their families, who now need help. The football community, including FIFA, must assist its Egyptian brothers and sisters."

FIFA said the sum would be paid into a charity account opened by Ahly.

At least 1,000 people were also injured in the violence after Masry's victory on February 2. Most of the deaths were among people trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd, while others fell or were thrown from terraces.