By Paul Osborne

Confederation of African Football President Issa Hayatou has called for a thorough investigation into the incident which killed 15 people on Sunday ©FIFA/Getty ImagesIssa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has called for the Congolese football federation (FECOFA) to fully investigate a disaster which saw 15 people killed in a stampede during a match between AS Vita Club and Tout Puissant Mazembe.

In a statement on the CAF website, Hayatou, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expressed his "deepest sympathy on hearing of the untimely deaths," adding: "I wish to re-emphasise that any acts of violence have no place in football.

"They must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and I urge the FECOFA and authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that measures put in place to avoid a repeat of any incidents are fully briefed with CAF and forestall any such occurrence."

The incident happened on the final day of league action in the Congolese national championships at the Tata Raphael Stadium in the DRC capital of Kinshasa yesterday.

The stampede started in additional time in the match, when some supporters of the AS Vita Club, incensed about their team trailing 1-0, showed their discontent by launching projectiles on the pitch.

Police on the scene were said to have retaliated by throwing tear gas into the crowds.

The stampede caused the collapse of a wall and a gate at the Stadium, recently repaired by AS Vita Club.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter took to Twitter to express his sympathy to those affected by the tragic incident ©TwitterFIFA President Sepp Blatter took to Twitter to express his sympathy to those affected by the tragic incident ©Twitter



As well as the fatalities, an estimated 24 people were injured in the incident with the governor of Kinshasa, Andre Kimbuta, since setting up a commission of inquiry to investigate the matter.

The match ended with a 1-0 victory for visiting Mazembe who were thus crowned national champions, even though the referee was forced abandoned the game entirely.

Following the incident, FIFA President Sepp Blatter tweeted: "Waiting for more news from DR Congo too after tragic reports.

"My thoughts are with all those who saw loved ones go to a game, not to return."

The two teams are due to play each other in the group stage of the African Champions League on May 25 and CAF has said it will assess the security measures needed for the game in Lubumbashi to go ahead without incident.

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