The World : Soviet Soccer Tragedy Told

As many as 340 fans were crushed to death at a 1982 international soccer match in Moscow as a result of police incompetence, a Soviet newspaper reported. The disaster, at a game between Moscow Spartak and Haarlem of the Netherlands on Oct. 20, 1982, was covered up by authorities, according to the report in Soviet Sport. It blamed the incident on stadium police, who had hustled departing fans down a single corridor. Hundreds were crushed to death when a last-minute Soviet goal sent spectators surging back toward the field, the newspaper said. Soviet Sport said authorities cordoned off the stadium from curious onlookers and anxious parents and withheld the bodies for almost two weeks.