Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

France to honor victims of Furiani tragedy yearly from 2016 (The Associated Press)

PARIS (AP) -- French sports officials plan to hold annual commemorations of the victims of the country's deadliest soccer tragedy.

Sports Minister Patrick Kanner said on Tuesday that a ceremony should be held every year from 2016 to honor the 18 people who died and more than 2,300 who were injured when a hastily built stand at Furiani Stadium in Corsica collapsed on May 5, 1992, moments before kickoff of the French Cup semifinal between Bastia and Marseille.

Following discussions with French football authorities, Kanner also proposed setting aside May 5 as the commemoration date, and a day without football when it falls on a Saturday.