Source: Daily_Mail
Drogba shocked after 19 fans die at Ivory Coast's World Cup clash
Didier Drogba has revealed his shock after 19 fans died at the match between Ivory Coast and Malawi on Sunday.
The tragedy, which also left 132 people injured, occurred when a wall collapsed at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan shortly before the World Cup qualifying match.
The situation escalated as panic set in in with nearly 50,000 fans in and around the 35,000 capacity stadium.
'I am disappointed by what happened, it is hard to take,' said Drogba. 'Football is nothing, you are talking about the death of 19 people - it is hard to take.
'When things like that happen, it makes you realise how much people care about their country, their team. Peace to them, it is sad.'
Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure has urged his team-mates to give their all to reach the 2010 World Cup as a tribute to the fans who died.
Barcelona man Toure, who was not playing because of injury, said: 'It's a very great tragedy. We are all conscious that this is something very difficult and I want to senda message of solidarity.
'It's a very serious situation, very difficult for us and also for the world of football because it is not the first time that it has happened.
'After the game I spoke with Didier Drogba, my brother - Kolo Toure- and the coach. It's all very difficult because they are Ivory Coast supporters and we know them very well.
'Behind the victory was a tragedy. We have to go as far as we can in this competition for all the people who died.'
Interior Minister Desire Tagro told state television: 'Fans started pushing to get in because the match was about to start and each and every one of them wanted to get in.'
Other reports suggested crowd trouble began up to 40 minutes before the game, with police firing tear gas to control the pushing and shoving.
Ollo Kambire, a reporter for Super Sport newspaper in the Ivory Coast, said: 'We saw people falling. Then there was panic and a stampede.'
Sports Minister Dagobert Banzio added: 'Numerous spectators started falling over each other. And in the crush they trampled on each other and that has led to 19 dead and 132 injured.'
The match still went ahead, with Ivory Coast taking a first-minute lead and going to win 5-0, with two goals from Drogba, one a penalty, and another from Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou.
Four other Premier League stars started the game - Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboue and Abdoulaye Meite.
