Football / FIFA points the finger at the deterioration of the Martyrs’ Stadium in Kinshasa: One year after the requests for rehabilitation
A year after the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) asked the Congolese government to complete the external environment sanitation work of the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, the situation remains worrying.
FIFA had recommended the opening of a VIP entrance and two new entrances on the north and south peripheries to improve spectator access, considering the seating capacity of 80.000 of this iconic stadium. However, recent inspections have revealed deteriorations.
FIFA highlighted several deteriorations of this jewel, notably the hosting conditions that do not meet international standards. The anti-doping system room is non-functional and the WiFi, required for the press stand, is still nonexistent to this day. These shortcomings affect not only the players and technical staff but also the media and spectators attending the matches.
According to several sources close to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFA is considering a possible closure of the stadium as a sanction in the coming weeks, following an urgent inspection. Such a sanction would be a severe blow to Congolese sports, especially for the Leopards and Congolese clubs engaged in CAF interclub competitions, who would find themselves without a venue for home matches.
