Just hours before the opening of the Women’s World Cup, two people are killed in a shootout in Auckland, New Zealand. The shoot-out took place near the hotel of the Norwegian team. Furthermore, as per reports, two people and an armed attacker were killed in the shooting.
New Zealand welcomed thousands of soccer fans and international soccer players as the host of the ninth Women’s World Cup. However, the tragic incident took the world by surprise and caused remorse. Fans of the soccer world have expressed their shock and remorse about the tragic incident.
🚨A gunman in New Zealand killed 3 people ahead of the Women’s football World Cup pic.twitter.com/PCXWHKYK1f
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) July 20, 2023
One fan wrote, “3 more gun crime victims compared to the Qatar World Cup.”
3 more gun crime victims compared to the Qatar World Cup
— محمد (@Shadov83Daud) July 20, 2023
While some other fans chastised New Zealand for turning into America with gun violence. They wrote, “Wow that’s awful. Are they turning into America?”
Wow that’s awful. Are they turning into America?
— Peaceful Piranha (@preachpiranha) July 20, 2023
Another fan shared how World Cup in America would witness more armed violence than this. They shared, “World Cup in America will witness more kills, remember that.”
World Cup in America will witness more kills, remember that.
— yeszak💭⛩ (@ZKrizs) July 20, 2023
The New Zealand authorities have deployed extra security near the stadiums after the shooting took place. Thus, assuring the fans and players about their safety in the host country.
New Zealand Prime Minister assures fans that the tournament would proceed as planned
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has assured the fans that the Women’s World Cup will continue as planned despite the unfortunate event.
Hipkins shared, “There was no identified political or ideological motivation for the shooting and therefore no national security risk. Obviously, we would prefer it not to have started in this way.”
He further added, “It will be acknowledged what happened today at the opening ceremony. And I will be going, it is safe to go and we continue to encourage the whole community to get behind this.”
Statement from the Prime Minister: pic.twitter.com/krwzjmOxcf
— New Zealand Labour (@nzlabour) July 19, 2023
FIFA released its official statement regarding the matter following the shooting in Auckland. The statement read, “FIFA has been informed that this was an isolated incident that was not related to football operations, and the opening match tonight at Eden Park will proceed as planned.”
FIFA further added, “The participating teams in close proximity to this incident are being supported in relation to any impact that may have taken place.”
World Cup hosts Australia and New Zealand faced Ireland and Norway respectively on Thursday. A moment of silence was observed by the players and the fans in light of the tragic incident. Furthermore, the players wore black armbands to honor the people who lost their lives in the tragic incident.