FIFA responds to violence during DR Congo vs Senegal clash at Stade des Martyrs
FIFA has condemned the incidents that marred the World Cup qualifier between DR Congo and Senegal at the Stade des Martyrs, where violent scenes erupted following the Leopards’ 3-2 defeat.
Tensions flared late in the match after Senegal scored their third goal, prompting sections of the home crowd to vent their anger by vandalising stadium property.
Reports indicate that more than 100 seats and several doors were destroyed. Objects were also thrown onto the pitch, with some striking players during play.
The unrest extended beyond the stands, as visiting Senegalese supporters were targeted by local fans. Fearing for their safety, authorities evacuated them before kick-off, underscoring the volatility of the atmosphere in Kinshasa.
After the final whistle, confrontations broke out between sections of the crowd and security forces, who deployed tear gas to restore order. Although no official statement has been released regarding the extent of the material damage, DR Congo’s Minister of Sports, Didier Budimbu, expressed his outrage at the scenes, condemning the acts of vandalism carried out by a minority of supporters.
FIFA disciplinary measures
According to FIFA’s disciplinary code, revised in 2023, such incidents fall under articles 16 and 67, which stipulate sanctions for crowd disturbances during matches. The rules hold the national federation or club accountable for the behaviour of their supporters.
Penalties range from financial fines to severe sporting sanctions, including matches behind closed doors, stadium closures, relegations, or even exclusion from competitions.
FIFA emphasises that the severity of the punishment depends on the seriousness of the offence, with repeat violations carrying harsher consequences such as points deductions, forfeited results, or bans.
Projectile-throwing and acts of vandalism are classified as major breaches of both safety and sporting discipline. These offences typically lead to financial sanctions and sporting penalties in line with their gravity.
A comparable case occurred during the 2022 World Cup play-off between Morocco and DR Congo at the Mohamed VI Stadium, where Moroccan supporters threw projectiles and invaded the pitch. In that instance, Morocco was fined 30,000 Swiss francs (about $37,000) and forced to play their next fixture behind closed doors.
Waiting for FIFA’s verdict
While FIFA has yet to confirm the sanctions that will be imposed on DR Congo, the precedents suggest that the Congolese federation could face both financial and sporting consequences. The governing body is expected to review official reports from the match before announcing its decision.
For Senegal, the victory strengthened their position in World Cup qualifying, but the post-match violence overshadowed their success. For DR Congo, the disciplinary fallout now threatens to add further challenges to their campaign.
As the global governing body moves to assess the incident, attention will turn to the severity of the sanctions and whether they will serve as a deterrent against future outbreaks of violence in African football.
