Madagascar barred from using national stadium

By AFP

Madagascar One of the nearly 40 people injured in the deadly September 9, 2018 stampede outside Madagascars Mahamasina Stadium is carried to safety. By Mamyrael (AFP/File)

FRI, 28 SEP 2018

One of the nearly 40 people injured in the deadly September 9, 2018 stampede outside Madagascar's Mahamasina Stadium is carried to safety. By Mamyrael (AFP/File)

Madagascar must find a new home venue for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Sudan after being barred from using the national stadium over a deadly stampede.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced disciplinary measures Friday after one person was killed and 41 injured ahead of a Cup of Nations match against Senegal this month.

A CAF statement said the national team are barred for using the Mahamasina Stadium in the capital, Antananarivo, for "three matches or three months".

With no other home fixtures planned, the Cup of Nations Group A qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea in October and Sudan in November will be affected.

The Malagasy national football federation was also fined $10,000 (8,625 euros).

Insufficient entry points to the 40,000-seat stadium was blamed for a crush that triggered the death and injuries.

The qualifier against Senegal for the 2019 Cup of Nations in Cameroon went ahead and Madagascar equalised twice to force a 2-2 draw.